Budapest in November

[Whickerman]

What's the weather like in Budapest in early November?

Also, anyone got any suggestions for must-see visits? Only have two full days mind!

[VillageVicar]

It is magnificent! I use Budapest as my launch point, whether I�m going to the Romanian border, or flying on to Moldova. The night life is fantastic and the scenery is stunning! Have you planned your hotel yet? Prices are so low, most people use this as an opportunity to �upgrade� their stay. I typically stay at the Intercontinental. However, the Hyatt across the street is nice, as is the Marriott next door.

I don�t know whether it would appeal to you or not, but I enjoy taking the Danube boats from Budapest to Vienna. The scenery is stunning.

Just a warning. Agree on prices in advance before entering into any taxi. They are terribly unscrupulous characters!

Buda is the west side of the river. There�s a lovely Hilton there on the side of the hills. I�ve stayed there several times. But I prefer being right on the water at the Intercontinental.

Also, spa services are among the finest in Europe.


I�ll provide you with a link.

http://www.budapestinfo.org/spas.html


Be sure to visit the caves!

http://www.budapestinfo.org/caves.html

If there�s anything in particular you�d like to ask, I�d be delighted to try and answer it for you.

Be well

Fr Bill

[Whickerman]

As usual, great response Fr.Bill.

The boat trip sounds great, but we're only there for 3 nights (luvky enough to be able to take a quick break from work after Halloween).

We've booked a 4* central city hotel for the three of us, total cost of approx �150.

The caves sound good - will take some time in the morning to have areal look at those links.

Can you give me any links to transport companies from the airport to the hotel, preferably one i can book in advance?

[thugulike]

If you google budapest and transfer a selection will pop up. Public transport is easy and safe in Budapest, you shouldn't need taxis. It's a big city but lots to see without going outside. I was there for 4 days and wasn't bored at all. I was there in November and it was fine dry and sunny, I walked around with just a light jacket on but it could be cold so go prepared. If the weather is clear take a trip up the Budapest Eye which is a tethered hot air balloon which gives a great view of the city.

[pauln90]

I was there in September and can echo other comments about the beauty of the city. The castle area and fishermans wharf is a must see where there are many beautiful buildings and a fantastic view over the city. I think tours of the parliament building take place in the mornings about 9.30 and this is a beautiful building
The first day we were there we took the bus tour around the city.This gives you a view of the sites and ideas for revisits.
Also if you can take an evening boat trip.It usually only lasts about an hour and a half and you see all the sites lit up.

We used this transfer

http://www.airporttransfersbudapest.com/transf er_prices_budapest.html

They charge 24 Euros each way for the transfer to your hotel. The driver was waiting for us at arrivals. On the return trip the driver was delayed by traffic but they rang the hotel to assure us that they were on the way.

Transport in Budapest is cheap we bought a 3 day card which covers bus tube and local railways and it cost about �9 each. I believe there is a 2 day card as well.

As also said beware rogue taxi drivers. If you need one get the hotel or restaurant to book one for you.

I hope you enjoy your visit

[Reverandfunk]

The natural spa baths are good to waste away a couple of hours we went to some with a roman theme. Fishermans wharf and the walk round the castle is worth an afternoon, boat trip on the danube, bit of shopping in Buda.

I used the trams when I was there and in 3 days never bought a ticket and all the locals dont appear to either just hop on and off

[Lil O'lady]

The national museum has a breathtaking, free archaeology display.
If that's what you're in to... : )

[Whickerman]

Thanks a million guys - sounds like we're in for a great few days

[JK2]

There is a 15day forecast here
http://www.accuweather.com/world-forecast-15da y.asp?partner=forecastfox&traveler=0&locCode=E UR|HU|HU006|BUDAPEST&metric=1

It looks like it may be bright & dry but cold.

[VillageVicar]

Good morning Whickerman! The link Paulin provided is fine. All taxis are licensed. It�s just the matter of agreeing the price in advance that is the challenge. In this instance, you clearly have a predetermined price.

When I stay at the Intercontinental or Marriott I have typically just had them use their own cars. The prices were marginally lower, but not enough to make that big a difference. I don�t do that as a matter of laziness, but it has come as more of a rote response from my childhood. I remember back to my youngest childhood of flying into Nairobi Airport with my father, where the airport was nothing but a landing strip, but had the disorganised chaos of an African railway station. In the midst of all the dust and flavours of the society, there stood the Intercontental staff, in their clean crisp uniforms, with their immaculate VW busses. It was the same whether we were in Zanzibar, or Rio, Tehran or Tegucigalpa. So I suppose, all these years later, it�s just laziness!

Use the trams whilst there. They�re convenient and safe. Just a warning, most locals have weekly or monthly passes. There are occasional spot-checks by a combined rail and police group. Locals are fined �20 on the spot for failure to have a ticket. You �might� get away with it just on a smile�but I�m a wimp and �20 goes a long way across the border at my home.

Continued:

[VillageVicar]

Part 2

I�m sorry you�re there such a short time. I was going to invite you drive a bit west and come to Transylvania for a day or so. It�s a magnificent area and our spa, Baile Felix is part of the old Soviet resort system. Oh well, next visit.

Whilst in Budapest, I encourage you to visit the Gellert Hotel spas. It is the most famous of all and quite a haven for tourists from around the world. Some of the most intense and vocal negotiations I�ve ever had has been with a group of boisterous Russians in a steam bath at the Gellert! It was quite humorous to watch these red-faced, sweaty, vodka swilling government officials, argue with one another wearing nothing but cotton towels.

http://www.danubiushotels.com/en/budapest-hote ls/danubius-hotel-gellert-budapest/spa-informa tion

The food is fantastic, if not slightly on the �weighty� side. Personally, I enjoy the goulashes and borschts of the region. But you can drag yourself to the depths of tourism and go to a KFC if you feel the need.

On such a short trip, I suppose if I had to make a list, I�d do a 1,2,3 of: River Cruise, Caves, Spas, with a definite shopping and sightseeing visit around Buda's Castle District.

It has been too long since I�ve been there doing touristy things. Mostly it�s now just meetings and the airport to collect shipments. Nevertheless, I�m sure you�ll have a fantastic time!

Fr. Bill

[VillageVicar]

Oh...one last thought...make sure you're up on night photography. Budpest is one of the most romantic cities to see by night and the imagery along the river is magnificent!

Gute Risen!

Fr Bill