City Information       Flyg och hotell          Queensway Travel
Airport
Ferihegy airport is 20 km southeast of Budapest. There are two recently opened adjoining terminals, 2A and 2B. Hungarian airline Malév operates out of 2A, while all other airlines are from 2B. 
Airport to City Centre
Taxis into the city take roughly 40 mins and should cost about Ft3,500-5,000 depending upon the destination. However, airport taxis have a rotten reputation for overcharging. You may find a list of prices by taxi firm next to the taxi rank, but it is best to agree the price before setting off. The airport authority LRI operates a good minibus service from the terminals to city addresses. Tickets cost Ft1,800 and should be bought from the counter in Arrivals. An airport minibus service, costing Ft800, operates every half-hour daily between 0530 and 2100 from terminals 2A and 2B to the central Erzsébet tér.
Orientation
Budapest was originally the three cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest, on the flat eastern bank. Buda, located on several extinct volcanoes, contains the historic Castle District, which dominates the river. This area has been renovated after the ravages of many wars. In WWII, the German garrison held out until the general surrender of Germany, despite being surrounded by Russians and bombed and shelled daily. The area has every type of tourist attraction, from the architectural magnificence of the National Gallery to narrow cobbled streets. Cars, other than a few residents’ and avaricious taxis, are banned from the cobbled streets. The result is a tourist-orientated time warp. 
Pest is the modern heart of Budapest and the location of most businesses, major hotels and shops. The pedestrianised Váci utca, which runs from the central Vörösmarty Tér, is a lively shopping street with rents and shops to compete with any Western European city. Andrássy út, which runs from the centre to Heroes’ Sq and the city park, is a wide boulevard that in its heyday was the city’s most chic address. Now the smart people live up in the Buda hills and the Andrassy út area has become a cultural and entertainment district with the magnificent opera house at its core. The main banking district is north of Vörösmarty Tér around the Parliament building. Inner Budapest is surrounded by the körút, a broad avenue running from 
Margit to Petofi bridges.
Excursions         - Flyg & hotell -        Queensway Travel
Szentendre: This pretty artists’ town on the banks of the Danube is 20km from Budapest and may be reached by railway (HEV) or by boat in summer. Museums, kitsch folk art, cafés and galleries are the main attractions, along with contemporary art. 
Lake Balaton: The largest freshwater lake in Europe and pre-1989 the seaside to a vast number of people from this landlocked country, and in particular a meeting spot for divided German families from East and West. However, communist-era resorts now have little to offer and it is not the charming resort it once was. On the north side, the wine-growing town of Badacsony has a wonderful view from the not-very-good restaurant near the top of an extinct volcano. Keszthely is a pleasant town with a magnificent château.
Getting Around
Taxis have yellow and black number plates and meters, which are notoriously dishonest. Since it is actually cheaper to call a taxi, the general rule is use the telephone. A few companies have English-speaking controllers who can establish an address from a telephone number given in English. They are City taxi and 6 X 6 taxi, while Fo taxi, recognisable by an oval sign on the roof, provides a reliable service. When hiring in the street it is advisable to look for these firms and avoid the rest if you can. If you do get in another taxi, it is wise to agree a price before you get in the car. Be aware that hotel doormen tend to be in the pay of other companies. Arguing with taxi drivers, other than from the safety of a hotel lobby, is not 
recommended.
What is Interesting     - Flyg och hyrbil -     Queensway Travel
Parliament: Overlooking the Danube, this architectural delight is modeled on the British House of Commons and it is worth joining one of the guided tours. Look out for the numbered cigar-holders outside the door of the former Upper House, where members left their cigars burning during debates. If you haven’t time to go in, just stay outside and admire the 24 towers, the courtyards and the 88 statues. 
Gellért Hill: The view from the Citadel is wonderful and reveals the full splendor of the Danube. The monument to St Gellért half way up the hill is a fairly arduous climb, but buses and taxis go up to the Citadel, built by the Austrian Habsburgs after the 1848-49 War of Independence. As for St Gellert, he met his death when he was rolled down the hill in a spiked barrel by 2c pagans upset at the new royal allegiance to the Church of Rome. 
Hadtörténeti Intézet és Múzeum (War museum): The Museum of Military History is at the end of Castle Hill. It contains a large collection of uniforms and insignia, much of which belonged to the Hungarian generals who fought in the uprising against the Austrians in 1848-9. 
Budarvári Palota (Buda Castle): The former Royal Palace has three main museums including contemporary art, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
Szent István Bazilika: St Stephen’s Basilica is a classic neo-Renaissance building from the mid 19c to honour Hungary’s patron saint Stephen, whose mummified right hand has been preserved.
Where to walk
Tourists herd together in the castle district and Heroes’ Square, while residents use the Korzó which runs in front of the Forum and Marriott hotels. This is a broad walk beside the Danube lined with overpriced restaurants and bars where you are paying for the wonderful view across the river up to the Citadella, the Royal Palace and the rest of the castle district. In the summer the walk along the Danube is alive with activity and the place to really get Budapest into perspective. Vörösmarty Tér is virtually connected to the Korzó, via Vigado tér, which also leads to Vaci utca. Or take the number 2 tram that runs alongside the Korzó, and travel north (upstream) past the Parliament building to the tram terminal at Margit bridge. The view downstream from here is worthwhile. From here pedestrians can access Marrit island. It is a pleasant haven from the city as well as being a mature park embellished by slightly faded Baroque buildings and statues. The summer sun worshipers show little modesty.