Tourist Office
We know we sound like a broken record, but we love tourist offices. So make one your first stop in Budapest. The Castle Hill office, located at 1 Szentháromság tér, is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the months of May through September, and from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. October through April. A second office, at Liszt Ferenc tér (the Oktogon branch), is open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. April through October, and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. November through March.
The office at the Nyugati train station is open April through October from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and November through March from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Budapest Board of Tourism's official Web site.
Museums Prices and Passes
Here are admission prices to the main attractions in Budapest, for adults and children:
Műcsarnok Palace of Art: HUF 1200 (adults)/HUF600 (reduced); HUF1800 (family - 1 adult + 2 children); HUF2400 (family - 2 adults + 2 children; free (children under six). Note: Additional charges apply for special exhibits.
House of Hungarian Wines: HUF4400 (tour and tasting)
Hungarian State Opera House: HUF2200 (adults)/ free (children under six)
Gellért Baths: HUF2700 (under two hours)/HUF2900 (two-three hours)/HUF3100 (three or more hours)
St. Stephen's Basilica: HUF500 (adult)/HUF400 (reduced)
Budapest Zoo: HUF1690 (adults)/HUF1400 (reduced)/HUF1190 (children under 14)/HUF4800 (family)(HUF800 for each additional child after 2)/free (children under 2)
Buda Castle Labyrinth: HUF1500 (adults)/HUF1100 (students)/3000 (family)
Hungarian National Museum: HUF1000/free (children under 6)
Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art: HUF1200/HUF2000 (family - 1 parent + 4 children)/HUF3000 (family - 2 parents + 4 children)
Aquincumi Museum: HUF900 (adult)/HUF1600 (family - 2 adults + 2 children)
The Budapest Card is a great value, offering free or discounted admission to 70 museums and attractions, discounts at restaurants and spas, free travel on public transport, and travel accident insurance. Cards cost HUF6500 for a 48-hour period and HUF8000 for a 72-hour period. You can purchase the Budapest Card at a tourist information office, or online. Note: If you aren't planning to spend most of the day in museums, the card might not be the best bargain.
Free Sights
"Free" is one of our favorite words, and lucky for us, it's a common word in Budapest. Many of the favorite sights and attractions in Budapest are (you guessed it!) free. If you're up for a hike, trek up to the Citadella for amazing views of the city (admission to the museum is HUF1200).
A stroll on Margrit Island is good for some lovely scenery, as is Varosliget (the central park).Visit the Aquincum Museum (also sometimes known as the Roman Military Amphitheatre), and the permanent exhibition at the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art without having to pay.
For cheap eats, souvenirs, and an overall great day, The Great Market Hall is ideal. Go there once or many times: it's a feast for the senses, bustling with food, noises, and souvenir carts. If you're missing food stands, this is the place to go for a quick lunch, where you can choose from fresh fruit and bread or a mile high plate of pasta for as little as HUF725.
Senior Discounts
Senior travelers can get discounts all over Budapest. To obtain some discounts, membership in a particular senior association may be required. Members of the AARP receive discounts on hotels, airfares and car rentals in Budapest. They can be reached in the United States at 1-800-424-3410 or accessed online at the AARP Web site.
Student Discounts
The International Student Identity Card, ISIC, the most widely accepted form of student ID, provides discounts on sights, accommodations, food and transportation. Some places offer admission discounts of 20%-50% to ISIC members. All cardholders have access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. In the United States call 1-800-223-7986 or click onto the ISIC site. Applicants must be degree seekers of a secondary or post-secondary school and must be at least 12 years of age. The card costs about US$22 depending on what city you buy it in, and is valid until the end of the year issued. For non-students 25 years or younger, the International Youth Card, IYTC, also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC.
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