Where to Stay in Budapest

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Where to Stay in Budapest: Advice from a travel blogger about the best neighborhoods to stay in Budapest, Hungary! Includes recommendations for 28 places to stay in Budapest.

Where to Stay in Budapest: Our Story

Before our first trip to the heart of Europe back in 2012, I remember spending hours on the Internet, trying to figure out where to stay in Budapest…and finding it oh so very confusing. Our first instinct was to stay near the castle, thinking that would be in the centre of the action, or at least the centre of tourism and the things we wanted to see. But as we dug into it a bit deeper, we realized Buda Castle District has a tranquil, romantic vibe, whereas Pest, on the other side of the Danube, has a ‘centre of all the action’ feel to it.

We ended up staying in a pretty cool place in Pest called Lavender Circus, and had a fantastic time exploring what’s since become one of our favorite European cities over the course of a few days. Of course, a few days is nowhere near enough time to get to know a city, so when the opportunity came up to return to Budapest in summer 2016 for three weeks, we jumped at the chance. Plus, we had a local friend in Budapest — our friend Sinead, who we met in Prague a few years ago and has since relocated to Budapest — to recommend the best areas and spots to check out. Then, in January 2017, we decided to move here…and are now full-time Budapesters ourselves :)

Knowing that many of our readers combine a trip to Budapest with their travels in Prague, and given the overwhelmingly fantastic feedback and responses we’ve received from our where to stay in Prague guide, we decided to write an in-depth Where to Stay in Budapest guide (as well as much more, such as our Budapest Itinerary post).

We hope it helps, and you enjoy Budapest as much as we do!

Heading to Prague or Vienna Next? Check Out Our Where to Stay in Prague Guide and our Where to Stay in Vienna Guide for the Best Spots to Stay!

Where to Stay in Budapest: Start Here For A Quick Look At The Best Area to Stay in Budapest

If you’re looking for quick answer about the best areas to stay in Budapest, start here! We’ve included detailed Budapest neighborhood outlines for the best places to stay in Budapest below, but I also wanted to provide an at-a-glance summary to help you choose where to stay in Budapest quickly and painlessly, just in case detailed research isn’t your thing.

First off, I’ve included our top 8 hotel Picks in the Inner City (3 mid-range boutiques, 3 luxury, and 3 budget): in our opinion, these are the best places to stay in Budapest if you’re after convenience! If you don’t find what you’re looking for there, you can click through to 5 of the best neighborhoods to stay in Budapest to get an overview of each area, pros and cons, and some hotel recommendations in each. If you’re coming to Budapest as the first or last stop on a Danube River Cruise, I’d recommend staying in either the Castle District or the Inner City, as these will be most convenient for accessing the ships, which dock (more or less) between the Chain Bridge and Elizabeth either bank of the Danube.

Overall, stay in Budapest Castle District if you’re looking for somewhere quiet and tranquil. The Inner City is the best location to stay in Budapest if you want to be in a convenient, albeit touristic area. Stay in Budapest VI for central, but high-value accommodations. Budapest VII is the best part of Budapest to stay if you want lively nightlife. Budapest IX is the best district to stay in Budapest if you want to try an up-and-coming area. More details:

  • Top Hotel Picks in the Inner City (The 5th, in Pest): If you want to be in the middle of the action, and want to stay in the heart of Budapest’s downtown, start with this list of top spots in the Inner City (Budapest V – Belváros-Lipótváros). Budapest V is touristy, but very convenient, giving you easy access to transit, all the sites, and within walking distance to the Danube and its famous bridges and views!
  • Where to Stay in Buda – Buda Castle District: Stay atop Castle Hill if you want to be in a tranquil, historical and beautiful area that’s slightly away from the buzz of busy Pest. Castle Hill has a few restaurants, beautiful views of the Danube and city below, convenient transport connections down to the city, and a few great restaurants to choose from. The Castle District is a great choice for a romantic holiday, for a family holiday, or for a trip with friends (if partying isn’t your goal).
  • Where to Stay in Pest
    • Budapest VI Terézváros (The 6th): Budapest VI blends into touristy and central Budapest V, but with more of an aristocratic and high culture bent. The Opera House is located in Budapest VI, as are the music academy and theater along the tree-lined thoroughfare of Andrássy Avenue. Stay near the south end (south-central and southwest) for a more upmarket experience, and near the western edge for a livelier experience.
    • Budapest VII Erzsébetváros (The 7th): Lively and colorful, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter is one of our favorite areas in Budapest. The 7th is full of restaurants, ruin pubs (old, abandoned buildings that have been converted to pubs, without renovation, and are filled with flea market finds), and trendy cafés, wine bars, restaurants, and shops. If you’re looking for lively, stay in Budapest VII.
    • Budapest IX Ferencváros (The 9th): Budapest IX is known as Budapest’s craft beer district, and has an ‘up-and-coming’ vibe with lots of 20 and 30 somethings and artistic types. Stay here if you want to be a bit off-the-beaten-path from most tourists, and are interested in checking out the beer scene.
  • Unique & Different Accommodation Options in BudapestBoat hotels and spa hotels, I’ve included a few options that are a bit different at the end!
  • Popular Budapest Tours & Excursions
  • Budapest Travel Tips & FAQs
Budapest City Card

Pick up a Budapest Card before you go and get free access to 10 museums including the Hungarian National Gallery, two free walking tours, entrance to Lukács Thermal Bath, and complimentary unlimited use of public transit for the duration of the card. Enjoy huge discounts on other attractions, escape rooms, restaurants, baths, events and festivals. Available in 24 hour ($23.30US), 48 hours ($35.57US), 72 hour ($45.38US).

Click Here for More Info

Where to Stay in Budapest: Budapest’s Numbering and District System

The first thing to understand when you’re picking the best place to stay in Budapest is that Budapest actually used to be two separate cities: Buda and Pest (the “s” sound in Pest is pronounced like an English “sh” sound). It wasn’t until the mid-19th century, when the Chain Bridge was built across the Danube in 1849, that the two sides were even connected to one another.

The “Buda” part of the city is relatively self-explanatory, at least when it comes to choosing the best area to stay in Budapest. The Buda Castle District at the top of Castle Hill is really the only area you’ll likely consider if you’re visiting Budapest as a tourist. Pest, however, is a different ballgame; there are far more desirable areas to choose from, along with a massive selection of hotels.

Budapest is organized by districts, and locals regularly refer to their neighborhood by number: Budapest VI is the sixth, Budapest IX is the ninth, etc. While there are 23 districts in Budapest total, only a handful of them will be of interest as a visitor to the city. As a rule of thumb, the lower the number, the closer the district is to the city center. The districts (sort of) spiral out, clockwise, from the center. That said, it is far from a perfect spiral.

The 5th (V) is considered the city center. The 6th (VI) and 7th (VII) are also very popular and convenient areas to stay. The 9th (IX) is considered an up-and-coming area; it is still a bit rough around the edges, but it is the center of Budapest’s craft beer scene and is considered the ‘beer district.’

Where to Stay in Budapest Hungary
The view of the Parliament Building from Fisherman’s Bastion


Where to Stay in Budapest: Budapest’s City Center (V)

Budapest’s Inner City — technically part of District V — is a great area in Budapest if you want to be in the center of the action, close to public transit, within walking distance of the Danube, and close to attractions, bars, cafés, restaurants. We’ve searched the area within Budapest’s Inner City to find all the hotels we want to stay in, we want our friends to stay in, and we want our mother-in-laws to stay in. If you’re just looking for a quick recommendation on where to stay in Budapest, take a look at our top hotel recommendations to get started. (If you’re looking for in-depth info on different neighborhoods, then you can find that below).

Skip ahead to Castle District

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Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace

9 / 10 on Booking.com

Hotel Zenit Palace — A quick walk to the Danube and one block off of Vaci Utca shopping street, this hotel has a contemporary and airy boutique look to it; an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center and sauna. Past guests note the location and awesome value, and a very cool extra: free, unlimited city-wide Wifi for guests with free use of a MiFi device.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Estilo Fashion Hotel

8.6 / 10 on Booking.com

Estilo Fashion Hotel Budapest — Located right near the Central Market Hall, near the south end of Vaci Utca shopping street, this property is a short walk to the river, and just across the bridge from Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) from the lovely Gellert Baths. Past guests love the location, friendly staff, and modern, comfortable rooms, and the breakfasts!

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Bohem Art Hotel

9 / 10 on Booking.com

Bohem Art Hotel — Offering a boutique, contemporary style, clean and comfortable rooms and beds, good showers, and black out curtains, the only common complaint is small rooms. Seems like a great option if you don’t have loads of luggage or don’t mind being cozy. Good location at the south end of Vaci Utca shopping street, and near the Central Market Hall.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Prestige Hotel Budapest

9.4 / 10 on Booking.com

Prestige Hotel — Located a short walk from Budapest’s most famous bridge (the Chain Bridge), the hotel channels an old-world, aristocratic vibe mixed with contemporary touches and comforts. The building itself is stunningly beautiful (I’m kind of in love with the lobby), and the onsite restaurant – Costes Downtown – is the casual baby sister to Hungary’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, which is ranked 25th in the world and 14th in Europe. I have a crush on this hotel and want to stay here next time we’re in Budapest.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

9.1 / 10 on Booking.com

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus — An indoor pool, fitness center and sauna; 2 restaurants, a coffee shop and a bar to choose from; an on-site spa, and an uber convenient location right by Deák Ferenc tér Metro station (the main transport hub in the city, from which you can catch a metro on M1, M2, and M3) make this property hard to beat. Past guests give the staff, location and comfort high marks. While walking distance to the river, it’s a few blocks away. (If you want to stay right on the river, check out the Intercontinental)

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Promenade City Hotel

8.3 / 10 on Booking.com

Promenade City Hotel — This looks like a great budget option right in the city centre. It’s modern and updated — in contrast to many budget hotels in this area, which look really outdated. It’s on Vaci Utca shopping street, but every room has sound-proof windows. The reviews I read had nothing bad to say, with shout-outs going to the cleanliness, helpful and friendly staff, general look of the hotel, and location. Seems like a very solid option that’s friendly on the wallet.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


La Prima Fashion Hotel

8.5 / 10 on Booking.com

La Prima Fashion Hotel Budapest — This place gets fantastic reviews, and you can book a double for around the same price as the 3-star chain hotels in the same area (like the Mercure Budapest City Centre, which get very mixed reviews, with the negative comments being very negative). Past guests have barely a bad thing to say about La Prima, it’s in a solid location just off Vaci Utca and near a metro, and past guests really like it: beautiful, comfortable and quiet!

Check Availability & Prices on

Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Three Corners Hotel Art

8.9 / 10 on Booking.com

Three Corners Hotel Art — Past guests seem to love this property, and it gets almost all exceptional (5/5) or great (4/5) reviews, with common comments relating to the staff, cleanliness and location. Close to Kálvin tér metro and about 2 blocks off Vaci utca shopping street, the hotel has a relatively contemporary look (although some of it is slightly dated looking), and looks really cozy (in a good way). Overall, this looks like a solid choice.

Check Availability & Prices on

Booking.com / TripAdvisor

Where To Stay in Budapest Castle District

Many visitors stay in the Budapest Castle District, and with good reason: some of Budapest’s best attractions (and views) are right at your doorstep.

The pros of Budapest Castle District are the proximity to some of Budapest’s most beautiful attractions, the gorgeous views, good restaurants, and a cozy, romantic and QUIET atmosphere. If you don’t want to be bothered by stag parties and drunken revelers, the Castle District is a great area to stay in Budapest. It’s also relatively convenient – to get into Pest, there are frequent buses that are easy to use, and cheap.

If you stay in Budapest Castle District, your experience will be very much that of a tourist. Convenient, but more expensive. Busy, but with most of the life coming from government workers and tourists.

We stayed in Budapest Castle district for a few nights in August 2016, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was so nice to come home at the end of the night to a really pretty, quiet area, and wander through the streets and enjoy views from Fisherman’s Bastion with hardly anyone around. However, on the one night we met up with a friend in Budapest IX (for craft beer, of course), we ended up missing the last bus and had a rather long walk to find our way home.

If someone I knew was going to the city for a few days looking for a quiet experience while also being well located to see the main sites, I’d suggest the consider staying in Budapest Castle District. However, if I had a friend going to Budapest to experience the nightlife, I’d tell them to stay across the river in Pest.

Skip ahead to Budapest VI

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Pest Buda Hotel

9.4 / 10 on Booking.com

Pest-Buda Hotel — This is one hotel we can recommend from personal experience! We stayed here 4 nights, and really can’t praise it enough. The rooms are beautiful, the beds feel like clouds, and it’s right above a well-rated restaurant of the same name. Plus, it’s on the site of Hungary’s oldest hotel, dating back to the 17th century! If Pest-Buda is booked, check out the nearby and highly-rated Balthazar.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


St. George Residence

8.9 / 10 on Booking.com

St. George Residence — If you fancy some major luxury, check out this property, which screams ‘old world royalty’ in the best possible way. Large, ultra-luxurious rooms decorated in an aristocratic, Austro-Hungarian style, a beautiful garden restaurant, and a great location in the heart of the castle district. What’s not to like? Reviews are pretty much fantastic, across the board.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Burg Hotel

8.3 / 10 on Booking.com

Burg Hotel — One of the few budget-friendly option in the heart of Budapest’s Castle District, this property gets great reviews (8.3/10 on Booking.com and 4/5 on TripAdvisor). Out-dated, decor wise, it nonetheless looks like a solid option, getting mentions in the reviews for the location (steps away from Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and public transportation) and the comfort.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor

Where to Stay in Budapest

Where to Stay in Budapest VI (6) – Terézváros

Butting up against the northern half of Budapest V, and running east-west up to Hero’s Square, District VI is another very popular spot to stay in Pest, and mixes touristy with residential, giving you a taste of what life in Budapest is like for residents while still being easy to navigate as a visitor.

Budapest VI can be split up further, with the lovely tree-lined thoroughfare of Andrássy Avenue, and the streets around it, having a more upmarket feel, and the streets closer to Nyugati station (and running south, through that western/central section of the district) mixing budget travelers with holiday apartment rentals and residents. Slightly outside of the Inner City, but still very convenient, you can also get great value for your dollars in this area.

I’ve picked out a few different hotels below, but if you’re looking for an apartment rental, there are loads of options. We’d suggest checking out HomeAway, VRBO, and – of course – Airbnb.

Skip ahead to Budapest VII

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Casati Budapest Hotel Superior

9.4 / 10 on Booking.com

Casati Budapest Hotel Superior — A 3-start boutique hotel that looks more like a 4-star, this place gets rave reviews from past guests and has a really funky look and feel to it, with pop-art inspired colors and decorations combined with muted furnishings, a sauna and fitness room, an on-site bar, included breakfast. Great location one block off of Andrassy Ave. This is another property I’d love to stay in.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Carat Boutique Hotel

8.6 / 10 on Booking.com

Carat Boutique Hotel — A 4-star boutique hotel in a super central location close to Deák Ferenc tér, a main transportation hub where the M1, M2, and M3 metro lines all converge. You can easily walk to some of the main sites and inner city area from here, the hotel itself gets great reviews, with a contemporary, boutique-inspired look, a jacuzzi and gym on site, buffet breakfast, and airport transportation.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Hotel Moments

9.6 / 10 on Booking.com

Hotel Moments Budapest — Located in a historical building that’s been beautifully renovated, steps from the Opera on Budapest’s fanciest street (Andrassy Ave.), this hotel looks absolutely beautiful. Mixing old-world decorations with contemporary touches, the overall appearance is elegant and sumptuous. Fantastic reviews from past guests…I want to stay here next time we’re in Budapest!

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Radisson Blu Béke Hotel

7.7 / 10 on Booking.com

Radisson Blu Béke Hotel — A solid middle-of-the-road option, it’s on a main boulevard  relatively close to the Opera, a few blocks off of Andrassy Ave. Pricing is a bit less than what I’d expect from a Raddison Blu, likely because it’s quite out-dated. Cosmetics aside, it seems like a fine option, especially for the price, with reviews indicating it’s been well-maintained despite its ‘throw back to the 1980s’ looks and decor.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Hilton City Center

8.2 / 10 on Booking.com

Hilton City Center — a 5-star property that can be had for a 4-star price, the Hilton is attached to a modern shopping center and Nyugati train station. Honestly, it’s far from the best location in the city. However, it’s really not bad, is connected to transit, and is only about a 10-minute walk from a more vibrant area. What it lacks in location, it makes up for on the property, and you get great value for money.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Silver City Center

7.1 / 10 on Booking.com

Silver Hotel Budapest City Center — A good value pick very close to the Terror House Museum, rooms at Silver Hotel look basic and clean, with no bells and whistles – as you’d expect from the price (rooms can be had for less that $40 in off season – which is pretty unheard of in most European capitals). Reviews are mostly positive, and it seems to offer good value for price, but certainly don’t expect luxury.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor

Budapest Itinerary

Where to Stay in Budapest VII (7th) – Erzsébetváros

Budapest VII is the heart of hip, young Budapest, and is the best area to stay in Budapest if you want a lively atmosphere and the best night life (ruin pubs included). It’s also Budapest’s Jewish quarter, home to the Great Synagogue – the largest in Europe, and certainly one of the most beautiful. Don’t come to Budapest VII looking for peace and quiet – come for the vibrance! If you love nightlife and history, this is the best place to stay in Budapest!

Skip ahead to Budapest IX

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Roombach

9.1 / 10 on Booking.com

Roombach Hotel Budapest — Another one of those “I want to stay here” hotels, this is probably where I’d stay if I wanted a lively Budapest experience, and was watching my spending. This place looks awesome.  The rooms have a boutique-hotel feel, and the common areas of the hotel look like they’d be cool to socialize in before heading out to explore in the evenings. Great location – appears to be a solid budget to mid-range choice.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Continental Hotel

8.6 / 10 on Booking.com

Continental Hotel Zara Budapest — Built on the site of a former art nouveau spa, the hotel has kept touches of the spa today in the glass arched roof and wonderful restoration. The rooms are modern, and have a boutique hotel feel. There’s a rooftop pool, a sauna and hot tub, a fitness room, and a traditional café and restaurant on site. Reviews are fabulous, including shout-outs from repeat guests, which is always a good sign.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Hotel Corinthia

9.2 / 10 on Booking.com

Hotel Corinthia — If I had to choose one word to describe this 5-star property, it’d be “grand.” It gets consistently exceptional reviews, and is located near the eastern edge of Budapest VII, closer to the aristocratic Andrassy Utca than the nightlife-focused Kazinczy utca. Beautiful rooms in a beautiful building, an on-site spa, comfortable beds – this looks like a wonderful luxury choice in Budapest. Good transportation connections, and within walking distance to restaurants.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor

What's the best area to stay in Budapest
The Chain Bridge at sunset

Where to Stay in Budapest IX (9) – Ferencváros

If you’re looking to get off the tourist track a bit, and are open to a ‘cool, but kinda rough around the edges’ vibe, consider staying in Budapest IX. Mostly residential, with only a smattering of hotels, this is the best neighborhood in Budapest to experience a mix of young locals and expats, loads of relaxed pubs with Budapest’s best craft beer on tap, and an artistic vibe. And we’re not the only ones who feel the 9th is a nice place to hang your hat while you’re in Budapest – according to The Guardian, “the 9th is emerging as the best alternative to the crowded and mainstream tourist areas of District VII or downtown.”

(Again, there aren’t a lot of hotels in this area. So if you want to stay in the IX but can’t find a suitable hotel you love, it might be worth checking out some holiday apartment sites like HomeAway, VRBO, and Airbnb.)

Skip ahead to Boat & Spa Accommodation

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Ibis Styles

8.8 / 10 on Booking.com

Ibis Styles Budapest City – A stylish 3-star property located a little out of the center, it’s perfectly located for jumping on the tram to arrive in the inner city quickly, and for exploring a less touristy neighborhood filled with craft beer. It’s also close to the river, with some of the rooms offering river views. Fun and very quirky bicycle decor throughout.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Inn Side Kalvin House

8.5 / 10 on Booking.com

Inn Side Hotel Kalvin House — A relatively cozy-looking inn with rooms in a lovely, old-fashioned house, this property is well-located on the northern border of Budapest IX, near Kálvin tér metro and just around the corner from the Central Market Hall. Past guests mention the friendly staff, location, and old-fashioned house itself – overall great value!

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor


Leonardo

7.8 / 10 on Booking.com

Leonardo Hotel Budapest — In our experience, the Leonardo chain of hotels are consistently decent. While we haven’t stayed in this one, it looks like a good value option in the beer district, only a few blocks from Élesztő, Budapest’s mother of craft beer bars. Less than 10 minutes’ walk from Corvin-negyed metro and some good cafés nearby.

Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / TripAdvisor

Where to Stay in Budapest if You’re After Something Unique

Spa Hotels on Margaret Island

At the northern tip of Margaret Island (a large island and park in the center of the Danube), there are two spa-themed hotels focused on typical wellness regimes in central and eastern Europe: the healing powers of salt and thermal waters. Under the same ownership, the Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget and the Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget are a bit outdated, to be honest (they oddly remind me of the resort from Dirty Dancing), but are in a lovely, tranquil location, and have loads of relaxation activities to help you unwind. There is bus access to the city during the day, but be warned: it’s less convenient at nights and weekends.

Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget Availability & Prices: Booking.comRead Reviews on TripAdvisor

Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget Availability & Prices: Booking.com / Read Reviews on TripAdvisor

Boat Hotels

If something so pedestrian as a hotel or a holiday apartment bores you, why not check out one of Budapest’s Boat Hotels, which let you sleep right on the Danube.

Aquamarina Hotel Availability & Prices: Booking.com / Read Reviews on TripAdvisor

Boat Hotel Fortuna Availability & Prices: Booking.com / Read Reviews on TripAdvisor

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Popular Budapest Tours & Activities

Széchenyi Spa Full-Day Entrance Pass

Budapest Szechenyi Day Pass4.5 / 5 from 1600+ reviews

Learn More

Danube River Cruise

Budapest Danube river cruise4.6 / 5 from 900+ reviews

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Budapest Parliament Tour

Budapest Parliament Tour4.6 / 5 from 1400+ reviews

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So Where Should You Stay in Budapest?

If you’re still wondering where is the best place to stay in Budapest, we’ve summed it up as best we can below! If I had friends coming to stay in Budapest for only a few days up to a week, I’d recommend they stay in the Inner City (convenient and close to everything) or Budapest VII (lively and a lot of fun).

If you want to know which area to stay in Budapest for couples or for a romantic holiday, look no further than quaint, quiet and cozy Pest!

For older (or more mature!) travellers, Pest, the Inner City, and Budapest VI are your best bets for convenient and sophisticated options. For younger travellers interested in more of a hip, local and lively vibe, Budapest VII and and IX are the best areas to stay in Budapest.

If you’re looking for more ideas, there are some other posts out there on the interweb you should check out! Vicki from Make Time to See the World has a a super easy-to-follow 48 hours in Budapest guide that includes all the highlights, and Barbara (a Budapest local) has a round-up of the best things to do in Budapest.

Consider Staying Near a Metro Station

Public transport in Budapest is excellent, with 4 metro lines, trams and buses to get you anywhere and everywhere you need to go, when you aren’t simply walking. It’s also quite easy to use – you can buy multi-day passes, or single-use tickets. For the single-use tickets, you need to use a new ticket each time you transfer, and you need to validate them with the orange stamp box at the entrance to the metro, or on the bus/tram.

The metro stop Deák Ferenc tér is really the most convenient transportation hub in the city, as it’s the only station where the city’s three busiest metro lines (M1, M2 and M2) intersect for transfers. The M3 and M4 intersect one stop over, at Kálvin tér.

When you’re choosing the best place to stay in Budapest, check the location out on a map, and ideally stay close to a metro station. The following metro stops are relatively central:

M1: The M1 more or less runs along Andrássy Ut., starting at Vörösmarty tér on one end, close to the river, and continuing past Hero’s Square and Széchenyi Baths. Any of the stops between Vörösmarty tér and Oktogon/Vörösmarty utca will be convenient. Personally, I wouldn’t want to stay any further along Andrássy Ut. and I certainly would go beyond Hősök tere (Hero’s Square).

M2: The M2 runs east-west. At the eastern end, I wouldn’t go beyond Budapest-Keleti Pályaudvar (and probably more like Blaha Lujza tér). At the western end, Kossuth Lajos tér is the last stop before it crosses the Danube to Buda.

M3: At the north end, the M3 starts out running directly south into the city center, and then veers eastward into Budapest IX and beyond. One the north end, Nyugati pályaudvar would be convenient (attached to a modern shopping center and train station), and then going south I wouldn’t stay much beyond Corvin-negyed.

M4: The M4 doesn’t have huge utility for tourists, other than taking you to Szent Gellért tér and the nearby Gellért thermal baths.

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Getting From the Airport to the Center

Unfortunately, the metro does not serve the airport. Ferihegy train station is near the airport, but you still would need to connect with a bus to take you there. Recently, the best, and easiest way to get to and from the airport is using the MiniBud shared service.

MiniBUD: A shared minibus shuttle service which is extremely popular now. Book online in advance, and follow the signs to the MiniBUD desk once you’ve collected your bags. When you get to the counter, they will assign you a number, and when you see your number displayed on the board, they will let you know which minibus number to head out to, and where to find it. There is a small waiting area, and a cafe and washroom near the counter. You need not worry if you are late or early, they will accommodate you when you are ready, as mini buses come and go from the airport multiple times per hour. English is not a problem at the airport. Click here for more info.

Bus 100E (Airport Express) to Deak Ferenc Ter in the city centre goes every 30 minutes between 5:00 and 00:30, takes 30 to 40 minutes, and costs 900HUF (~$3.60US/~€2.90) per adult (free for adults 65+ or children under 6). Purchase tickets from the driver (cash only/exact change), at the BKK service counter in the airport terminal, or at the vending machines at the bus stop. The bus departs from the sidewalk in front of the arrivals level.

Please note this service runs independently from normal public transport so a special airport bus ticket is required. Regular transit passes for Budapest are not valid on this bus, nor is the airport bus ticket valid on other public transportation in the city.

Bus/Metro: Bus 200E will take you from the airport terminals to the Kőbánya-Kispest Metro Station which is on the M3 line. If you don’t have a Budapest Card, you’ll need to buy public transit tickets. You can buy single tickets (350HUF), or a book of ten tickets (3000HUF) from the booth inside the airport after you exit customs. You’ll need at least two tickets per person, one for the bus and one for the metro. Validate your ticket as you board the bus, and do the same with a new ticket when you change from the bus to the metro, you do not need a new ticket to transfer between metro lines.

Taxi: Currently, Főtaxi is the only company permitted for ‘curd side’ pick up. They have flat rates to the city center, usually around 7000-10,000HUF depending on your hotel location. You can pick up a voucher at the curbside Főtaxi booth.

Private Transfer: If you just want to get where you’re going and have to worry about the hassle, consider a private transfer from the airport, click here for more info.

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More Where to Stay Guides

Where to Stay in Prague

Where to Stay in Prague

Where to Stay in Vienna,

Where to Stay in Vienna

Where to Stay in Berlin

Where to Stay in Berlin

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A Note About Our Hotel Recommendations In This Budapest Neighbourhood Guide

We get emails almost every day from readers asking about which hotels are the best options for their needs, what area to stay in Budapest, etc., and we’re happy to respond and help the best we can. But here’s the thing: we can’t possibly stay in all of the hotels in any given city! As we know from personal experience it can be confusing trying to figure out where to stay in Budapest, we’ve included hotel suggestions in these guides. The recommendations are based on what we’d suggest to friends with different budgets if they were coming to Budapest. We haven’t personally been to most of these hotels, so the recommendations are based on our knowledge of the city, and standard concerns: Is it in a good area that seems safe? Is it convenient for enjoying Budapest? Have other travelers left decent reviews of the place? Would I tell my best friend or my mother-in-law that this is a good place to consider? What are the best neighborhoods in Budapest?

If it meets these criteria, I’ve added it to the list. Now – to be fair, not ALL properties that meet these criteria have been added. There are plenty of good hotels in Budapest that aren’t on this list, of course. And there’s no fancy methodology here…basically, I have spent hours (seriously – this guide took me about 18 hours to make!) researching each recommended property via the hotel booking sites we actually use ourselves (HotelsCombinedBooking.com and Trip Advisor), and added what I thought looked good.

Ultimately, our goal is to help you have a great visit to Hungary’s capital, and to do so without having to spend hours choosing the best place to stay in Budapest! Hopefully we’ve succeeded!

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23 thoughts on “Where to Stay in Budapest”

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  7. Wow, such a comprehensive list of places to stay! My boyfriend and I are visiting Budapest this summer, and this guide has been very helpful in choosing an area! Thank you (:

  8. Thanks for writing this comprehensive post! Super helpful and timely for my mid-March trip. Hope to run into you guys at some point!

    1. Awesome! Glad you found it helpful, and definitely give us a shout when you get to town. Would be happy to meet up!

  9. Your blog is great and super helpful. We’re going in September and your post makes me even more excited!

  10. Thanks so much for this super comprehensive guide. We’re coming to Budapest for the month of August, and the neighborhood information in here is so valuable in helping figure out where to stay!

    1. Awesome to hear! Nathan just told me over FB you’re coming to Budapest. Give us a shout when you arrive and we can grab a beer. We’re away until first week of August or so, but should be around for most of the month.

  11. This is awesome! Thank you for putting this together. We’ll be visiting for a week in October and are considering doing Airbnb instead of a hotel. The neighborhood information will be super helpful.

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  13. We have booked a rental on Kiraly St somewhat last minute and I’m curious if you can shed some light on that area. I believe the address is in the 40’s. It does get great reviews but I can’t quite figure out which district it’s in. Thanks you!

    1. Hi! Kiraly is actually the border street between the 6th and 7th district. If the address is around #40, you’ll be right in the heart of the nightlife area. There will be lots of bars, restaurants and cafes very close by, and all the sites in the Jewish quarter are walkable. The Opera House is a block or two away, and sites like the parliament building, the river, and the Chain Bridge are all about a 15 minute walk. For sites further afield, the main ring road with the popular and convenient #4 and #6 trams running along it is just a 5 minute walk. Also, Deak Ferenc ter, which is a popular transit hub for metro and trams, including the airport express bus, and bus #16 that goes up to the castle. I hope that helps! Let us know if we can answer anything else :)

  14. Hi there. My girlfriend and I are travelling to Budapest 24-27th January. We are staying in 13th District. We were told that it was fairly central but having read your guide I am not too convinced of that. If you can give me any help and advice on how to get around from our apartment that would be great.

    1. Hi John,

      The 13th can be very convenient, or not. It’s a long and skinny district, and I would suggest you want to stay a short walk from the 4-6 tram and Jászai Mari tér. I would suggest asking the host how far a walk it is from those points.

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