Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
COUNTRY CODE:
Dial +36 for Hungary
FROM THE AIRPORT
Car Hire :
Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +36 (0)1 421 8370. Open from 8am-8pm seven days a week.
Airport Transfer :
Pre-book your door-to-door transfer with easyJet’s transfer partner, Holiday Taxis—from home to the airport and the airport to city or resort. Just log on to easyjet.holidaytaxis.com.
Train :
Trains leave Terminal 1 for the Western train station, arriving in less than half an hour. Tickets: HUF300.
Taxi :
A taxi costs about HUF3500-HUF4800 to the centre.
Bus :
Take bus 200 from outside Arrivals to the final stop, Köbánya-Kispest station, for the metro to the centre. You'll need two single tickets (HUF270 each).
(33A Ráday Utca, IX. Tel. 01 215 1119) In an area full of students, this restaurant features a two-course lunch for less than €4, plus a full lunch and dinner menu.
(12 Károlyi Mihály Utca, V. Tel. 01 2669566) Try out the inner courtyard and delight in the Mangalica pork, a Hungarian speciality, as well as unusual desserts.
(5 Október 6 Utca, V. Tel. 02 317 2987) Revel in the joys of modern Hungarian cuisine while being serenaded by live music. The exquisite interior lives up to its name.
(5 Rákóczi Utca, VIII. Tel. 02 411 0111) High-vaulted ceilings for dining in style and two scrumptious set menus to choose from. Or go á la carte, but your choice should include goose liver in some form, for which the restaurant is renowned.
(3 Kristzina Tér, I. Tel. 02 212 3804) Is it a piano bar, a wine cellar or a bistro? Well, whatever it is, you'll be able to unwind here to live music and a good selection of drinks.
(11 Nyáry Pál Utca, V. Tel. 02 267 3199) Reminiscent of the 1930s, Fat Mo's has everything, including beer and food, live music, DJs and sports events on a wide screen.
(63 Bajcsy Zsilinszky Utca, VI. Tel. 0670 554 0670) This underground party place is the stuff of legends. Dance from 9pm until whenever your feet finally give in. Near the Western station.
On the ground
Shop
On visiting Eclectick, fashionistas will wish they'd brought an empty suitcase, as it's full of fun clothes by young local designers (20 Irányi Utca, V. Tel. 02 266 3341).
Insider Tip
It's still not too late for a spring makeover. Visit master image creator Lyn de Gara for some before and after pictures (Tel. 02 353 2061. www.lyndegara.fw.hu, Hungarian only).
Key Area
Gellért Hill gives a bird's eye view of the city, if you're willing to climb up to the Citadel. Otherwise, in the same vicinity, the legendary Gellért Baths, behind the beautiful hotel, await. And check out the Cave Chapel across the road.
This month
Take your pick between culture at the Plein-Art Festival on 16-18 May (Ráday Utca, IX) or a tipple at the Open Wine Cellars Festival at 22 locations around town from 10-12 May (www.nyitottpince.hu, Hungarian only).
Day Tripping
Gödöllő
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This green oasis is 30 kilometres north-east of Budapest and features Grassalkovich Castle (open 10am-6pm, closed on Monday), as well as several agricultural points of interest. Take the M3 motorway or the suburban railway from Örs Vezér Tere.
No way!
The world's first agricultural and wild plant gene bank is being established in Tápiószel. It will house 85,000 agricultural plants and 2,000 wild plants.
