Hungary is a backpacker's delight. Let see how can you save!
You can sleep in airports, train stations, bus stations, parks, beaches, back allies, under a rock, etc. So, sleeping out is legal, but don`t even think of sleeping out in stations, in Margitsziget or other huge parks. These places are dangerous at night. If you haven't enough money to pay a hostel, you can sleep in the airport or in the downtown, you can find all-night cafes and might let you stare into your coffee until morning.
Choose tram #2. The perfect sightseeing tour with National Theater, Art of Palace, Grand Market Hall, Liberty Bridge, Vigadó, Gresham-palace, Academy of Sciences, Chain Bridge, Parliament, Elizabeth Bridge and on the other side Gellért Hill with Citadella, Castle and Fisherman's Bastion on the Buda Hill.
Jump on tram #4 or #6. You can travel from Buda to Buda through the Grand Boulvard. When travelling over the Margaret bridge you will be rewarded with most spectacular view over the Danube with Parliament on the Pest side and the Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Hills.
The cheapest food you can buy, will often be at the big supermarkets and in the market halls. The list below shows you a few examples of low prices of a few important items in a food shop.
| 1kg of white bread | 150 HUF |
| 1l of milk | 200 HUF |
| 150g yogurt | 100 HUF |
| 1kg cheese | 1.100 HUF |
| 2l coke | 220 HUF |
| 1kg fruit | 100 - 800 HUF |
| 1,5l bottle of water | 70 - 200 HUF |
| 0,5l bottle of beer | 180 - 400 HUF |
| 0,5l bottle of cola | 180 - 200 HUF |
| 1kg salami | 1.700 - 3.000 HUF |
| 1 pack of cigarettes | 400 - 650 HUF |
| 1 bottle of hungarian wine | 300 - 8.000 HUF |
Hipermarkets: Auchan, Metro, Tesco.
Tescos are open 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Supermarkets: CBA, Coop, Kaiser's, Penny Market, Plus, Profi, Spar, Match
Non-Stop: There are lots of non-stop food stores in residential areas. In Buda it may be harder to find them.
Market Halls: In the markets you can buy meat, cheeses, fruits & vegetables. In every market you can find some places to eat. The largest market hall in Budapest is the Nagycsarnok (IX. Vámház krt. 1-3). Another four old-style markets are found at Rákóczi tér (VIII.), Klauzál tér (VII.), Hunyadi tér, and Hold utca (VI.), Batthyány tér (I.), the moderns are in Fény utca (II.) and Lehel tér (XIII.), Fehérvári út (XI.). These are open all day 07-16, except Sunday. There are many small local markets in the city mainly on Saturdays.
Keep in mind: Try the Lángos with Garlic, Cheese & Sour Cream!
Hungarians have milk products, sweet or salty bakery for breakfast, or small savory scones. Prices in bakeries range from 100 to 300 huf a piece. It's ususal offering bakery for half price one hour before closing time.
Our best bakery is Burek in the XIII. district.
Many local people have beakfast and lunch in butcheries. Roasted sausage, grilled chicken with salad and bread. The shops are easy to recognize, they are usually red and white and you can smell the roasted meat.
You can find them everywhere in the city. You can also ask for a half portion. It's cheaper if you eat it on the spot. Menu price: 400-700 HUF
McDonalds, Burger King, Friday's, KFC, Subway. They are everywhere in town, specially McDonald's.
The best choice if you are hungry.
The delivery is usually free, but sometimes they charge 100-300 HUF if the order is to be delivered to some distant districts. The tip is 10%.
The Hungarian speciality, lángos is sold on the streets in kiosks for about 150 HUF. Strudel, hamburger and hot-dog is sold everywhere in town, for about 150-300 HUF.
There are many Pizzerias and usually they have home delivery. Price is usually between 900-1500 HUF
You can find snack bars on the streets or in different buildings, where they sell sandwitches, refreshments, chocolate and cigarettes.
Very widespread and common. You can find them anywhere at Nagykörút, one gyros costs 500 HUF. There's no real difference between them.
Click here for the cheapest eats in the downtown!
