Last semester, I studied abroad in London. Almost every weekend, my friends and I took advantage of being in Europe by traveling to new countries. The first weekend trip we took was to Budapest, and it ended up being one of my favorite places of study abroad.
Below is my guide for a short weekend trip in Budapest, based on what I felt was (and was not) worth doing, as a student on a budget. From restaurants, bars, tourist attractions, shopping, and hidden gems to the best way to get into the city from the airport, I have advice for it all. I also have tips on booking flights, where to stay, and how to get around the city.
Before you arrive
During study abroad, I know that most of us are trying to make the most of our budgets while still being able to take all of the trips on our wishlist. One way to save money is to travel as affordably as you can. In Europe, that means flying.
Flight Tips
Book as far out as possible (my friends and I booked our entire semester of travel during our first week in London, between two weeks and three months ahead of our trips)
How do you find these flights? SkyScanner is your new best friend.
- Make a dream list of locations, and check which weekends they are the cheapest.
- None of them cheap enough? Look into one-way flights; sometimes booking two legs individually is far cheaper.
- Night flights and early mornings are usually the cheapest, and they often help you maximize your time.
- Budget airlines like easyJet, RyanAir, and Wizz Air are the best airlines for weekend getaways.
There are two downsides to flying like this:
You get the cheapest fare when you only bring a small backpack – don’t get caught with the wrong size one, as fees can get up to one hundred euros for an oversized item.
My tip: Airlines are less strict with backpacks than duffel bags.
You don’t get to sit with your friends (usually).
Seats are randomized if you don’t pay extra to sit together. Honestly, though, the plane is where my friends and I got the most sleep, so this “con” was only a bummer a few times. I’d also recommend getting a Europe eSIM before you go. It makes using maps, translation apps, and staying in touch super easy right when you land — no hunting for Wi-Fi or local SIM cards.
You’re only going on a weekend trip, but I understand wanting to look your best. Here are my basic, but practical, packing tips.
Packing Tips
- Comfortable shoes and clothes for walking
- Packing space is limited, so wear your chunkiest clothes on the plane and rewear them when you get there.
- Weekend trips = outfit repeating to the max.
- If it’s cold, layers are your best friend.
Accommodation Tips
If you’re visiting during tourist season, hostels are your best bet. If it’s the off-season, you can get some great deals on Airbnb. In Budapest, my three friends and I paid $50 each for three nights in a two-bedroom apartment, just a short walk from downtown.
My last pre-trip advice is to make a plan. A short notes app itinerary can make exploring a big city in a time crunch feel like a piece of cake.
Arriving in Budapest
Take the bus into town. It only costs roughly $2. Or, if that’s not your style, download the Bolt app (like Uber) for very cheap rides. When I was in Budapest, Bolt rides were usually around $5 USD total, not per person. I think I spent around $15 for my share of many weekend Bolt rides.
Day 1
Morning
Coffee at Flatty
- Popular on TikTok, but worth it for a fun specialty latte. In the cutest window, great photo opportunity.
- Short walk to Central Market.
- Cost: about $4 for the tiramisu latte.
Shopping (or window shopping) at Central Market
- Central Market sells food and souvenirs. It is the best place for cute Budapest merch and some cultural items.
- My tip: Buy a chimney cake. It’s a famous dessert in Budapest, and you can fill them with different toppings if you want. They are so delicious. Cost: about $5 with toppings.
- Central Market and the surrounding area are very lively and charming. It is a place where locals and tourists go. When I was there, I saw live music (buskers) on multiple occasions.
Afternoon
Lunch at the For Sale Pub
- The For Sale Pub has a really fun gimmick: You pin notes on the wall, and the floor is like an old pub, covered in peanuts.
- Definitely touristy, but worth it for the pictures and the fun of putting your note on the wall.
- Cost: As a tourist spot, it is pricier. I shared food with a friend, and it was around $18 for half a schnitzel plate (a famous offering in Hungary), a Coke, tax, and tip.
- Tip: Soda is pretty expensive (around $5), so if you want, avoiding it is a good way to save money.
Sightseeing at the Buda Castle
- Buda Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hungary. It is a grand historical castle complex, including buildings and gardens that give insights into Budapest’s history.
- About a 30-minute walk from the pub.
- Castle Hill, the surrounding neighborhood, is also very beautiful, so I suggest walking around there too.
- This is a free activity if you just walk around the grounds (which is what I did). Not going inside was still worth it because the estate is so massive, and it is very beautiful.
Sightseeing at Fisherman’s Bastion
- Fisherman’s Bastion is a beautiful monument near Buda Castle.
- Cost: Free if you don’t go inside (I didn’t, because there were still great exterior and city views!)
Evening
Dinner at McDonald’s
- I know it seems crazy, but Budapest is known for paprika, and at their McDonald’s, they have specialty spicy chicken nuggets that are so delicious. They also make a great base for a night of drinking.
- Cost: The McNugget meal was around $5.
- My friends and I went to McDonald’s in every country we visited, and this ended up being our favorite one!
Activity: Unlimited prosecco cruise, views of Budapest along the Danube
- Lovely cruise along the Danube, the river that cuts through Budapest (and separates the areas of Buda and Pest).
- This is my top Budapest recommendation because it really has the best views, without breaking the bank. Plus, the prosecco really is unlimited!
- Cost: About 25 euros each.
- My tips: Go when it is completely dark, like pitch black, because the buildings are lit up and are gorgeous. Also, sit outside. Even if it is winter, brave the cold, you won’t regret it.
Day 2
Morning
Boba at The 92’s Tea
- Another highlight of the trip. My friends and I really wanted boba, and we stumbled upon this place that wasn’t even on Google Maps (it is now, thankfully).
- The owner was super sweet, the place was very cute, and the boba was super yummy.
- Cost: around $5.
Activity: Go to The Hungarian National Museum
- A short walk away from The 92’s Tea is The Hungarian National Museum. I didn’t get a chance to visit, but if I could go back, I would. It has great insights into Hungarian culture and some beautiful exhibits.
- Cost: around $10.50, one of the cheapest museums in Europe.
Afternoon
Lunch at Parasztkonyha Restaurant
- Next to St. Stephen’s Basilica, there are many restaurants to try for lunch. If you are looking for reasonably priced Hungarian food, I recommend going to Parasztkonyha Restaurant.
- I didn’t get a chance to eat here, but some of my other friends did, and they really enjoyed it!
- Cost: About $25 for food, drink, tax, and tip. According to my friends, this price was reasonable for the portion size.
Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica
- Europe is full of beautiful churches, and this is no exception. While abroad, my friends and I went to at least one church in every city because they give insights into the city.
- Cost: Free!
Evening
Dinner at Twentysix
- Twentysix is a Mediterranean tapas bar with a cool interior. They were full when my friends and I arrived, but we were allowed to sit in the lounge.
- This place has great cocktails and great small bites. It is a great place to go with friends to share a meal. I really enjoyed the food and vibe!
- Price: About $20, including sharing plates, a cocktail, tax, and tip. Worth it for the atmosphere and delicious food.
Activity: Go out to the popular ruin bars
- There are so many ruin bars across Budapest, but my friends and I went to Szimpla Kert and Instant-Fogas Complex because of TikTok.
- Both bars had vaguely the same vibe. We didn’t go very late at night, so they weren’t very busy. If you want to dance, I suggest getting there around/after midnight.
- Despite not dancing, the vibes of these bars are awesome, and they are definitely something you will want to see. I had fun hanging out and exploring.
- Tip: Bring a pen to sign the walls to Szimpla Kert.
- Cost: Free because I didn’t buy anything!
If you still want to do more, go out to the Red Ruin Bar
- The Red Ruin Bar had a very unique vibe. It was a Communism themed bar with wild decor and a sense of humor. It was definitely something I will remember for a long time.
- The Red Ruin Bar was a fun place to grab a drink for a more chill vibe.
- Cost: My drink was about $8.
Late-night snack at Pizza Me
- Pizza Me is a chain, but it’s cheap and hits the spot.
- Cost: My slice of pizza was about $2.
Somewhere to Avoid
I loved almost all of Budapest. If there is one place I hope I can de-influence you from, it is The New York Cafe. When you go on TikTok, there is no doubt you will see content from here, but seriously, this place is way overhyped than I even imagined.
I knew a tourist trap like this would be expensive and probably not as good as some other places in the city, but I was not expecting the staff to be so rude. We were treated so poorly, and then our waiter stood over us and made us write a Google review about how good a time we had. Big red flag. I would stay away at all costs.
Conclusion
Overall, Budapest was my first, and one of my favorite, weekend trips during study abroad. It was so unique and magical, I would love to go back in December for their famous Christmas markets. Doing almost exactly everything I outlined above, I spent under $400 on my 72-hour Budapest weekend trip. While that seems steep, in the grand scheme, paying $400 for travel, lodging, activities, food, and fun is pretty good. If you’re studying abroad on a budget in Europe, Budapest is the number one city I recommend visiting.
