Budapest travel guide

Budapest falls into place if you split the day between a Parliament tour and a Danube riverside walk.

From 1 January 2026, adult tickets for visitors from outside the European Economic Area cost 14,000 forints, and students aged 6 to 24 pay 7,000 forints. The tour takes about 45 minutes, with audio guides in several languages; the official seller is the Jegymester website.

The 100E bus from the airport to the city costs 2,500 forints, and regular tickets aren't valid on it. UNESCO listed the Danube banks and the Buda Castle Quarter in 1987, and added Andrássy Avenue in 2002. Prices are as of 23 October 2026, so recheck before your visit.

Visa and entry requirements for Hungary

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Short-term stay (Consular Service) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary)
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
• EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)

According to the Parliament's official information, adult tickets for visitors from outside the European Economic Area cost 14,000 forints from 1 January 2026. Students aged 6 to 24 pay 7,000 forints, and under-6s are free. The tour takes about 45 minutes, with audio guides available in several languages.

The official seller is the Jegymester website, where you choose a date and time. Visitors from outside the EEA pay the non-EEA rate. Student rates require proof, so bring your student card. Tour timetables may change when Parliament holds events.

Based on the Parliament's official information, checked on 23 October 2026.

Two adults pay 2 × 14,000 = 28,000 forints. One adult and one student pay 14,000 + 7,000 = 21,000 forints. Two adults and two students pay 28,000 + 14,000 = 42,000 forints.

There's also a separate family rate in the official information, so families should check the group make-up and age conditions on the sales screen first.

The 100E airport bus from Budapest Airport to the centre costs 2,500 forints; pass holders pay an extra 1,000 forints. Regular tickets aren't valid on the 100E.

Two people pay 2 × 2,500 = 5,000 forints. Check how to buy and validate tickets at the stop and on BKK's official website. If you arrive late, read city transport hours first and save the walk from the stop to your hotel on a map.

UNESCO listed Budapest's Danube banks and the Buda Castle Quarter in 1987, and extended the site in 2002 to include Andrássy Avenue.

The Parliament stands on the Danube, so walking along the river after the tour flows naturally. The riverside can be windy, so bring a jacket; sunset times vary by season, so arrive before sunset. Steps and paving get slippery when wet, so wear firm-soled shoes.

With 2 nights: on day one, ride the 100E in from the airport, drop your bags and walk the river; on day two, book a morning Parliament tour and walk the Buda Castle Quarter in the afternoon.

With 3 nights: add a free day on day three to fill in what you missed. Parliament tour times vary by date, so buy tickets first and fit the rest around them. If you add Eger, add a day and check train or bus timetables the day before.

Plan meals in Budapest around goulash soup and lángos. Goulash is a soup of meat and vegetables flavoured with paprika; lángos is fried bread topped with sour cream and cheese. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. On tour days, eat lunch nearby to fit the timetable.

Hungary is in the Schengen Area; check entry requirements for your nationality. Buy Parliament tickets only from the official seller, and bring proof for student rates. The local emergency number is 112.