Things to do in Budapest – An Off-Season Budget Travel Guide
One Planet Journey’s founder Richard Lindberg explores Budapest in the off-season as part of a road trip through Central and Eastern Europe. Here you learn how to have a deep and meaningful experience, even if you only have a few days, and don’t want to spend a fortune. Your Budapest budget travel guide for things to do, with tips on food walks, culture, and how to connect with the city’s soul beyond the surface.
A deeper Budapest experience in the off-season
My wife and I arrived in Budapest on a crisp March morning, the result of an early drive from Zagreb. Crossing the Danube had me excited already. The storied river that runs through four European capitals, including Vienna, our next stop, glistened next to the Gothic inspired Parliament building. Together with one of the famous bathhouses, it stood atop of my list of things to do in Budapest.
As we parked and checked into our apartment hotel right in the middle of the city, I didn’t feel hurried or stressed. That’s the magic of travelling off-season, a key tenant of deeper travel. The city felt like it exhaled. Fewer crowds meant more room for us to just be. To take a seat at a local café, linger longer in the baths, and strike up real conversations. Off-season also means better deals and lower prices all around, and part of the aim of this article is to show that budget travel in Budapest aligns well with deep and meaningful travel. Luxury travel can be too. What matters is your mindset and intention. Knowing what you came for is essential, in my case exploring the heritage and history of what has made Budapest into the stunning capital it is.
Budapest has plenty of famous sights, and we will get to those, but I implore you to seek out the smaller, more intimate places to eat. Go for the quiet walks in narrow alleyways. Listen to the sound of trams clanging through the busy streets. In short, be open to letting Budapest show you the way to a meaningful and personal experience.
Getting to Budapest
We arrived in Budapest by car, cruising in from Croatia. If you’re road-tripping through Central or Eastern Europe, driving into Hungary is smooth and straightforward.
Budapest by car
Hungary’s highways require an e-vignette (digital toll pass), which you can buy online in minutes. No stickers, no fuss. I registered our licence plate one week prior. Signage is clear, roads are in good shape, and service stations are frequent and well-equipped. Most of the countries in Central Europe use the e-vignette which I prefer to paying by card or cash at toll booths where you have to slow down and queue.
Budapest by Air
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport connects to most major European cities. Whether you’re flying with Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa or others, you’ll find plenty of flight options. Getting into the city centre takes around 30–40 minutes. For budget travellers, the 100E airport bus is a bargain. Direct, reliable, and about five euros.
Budapest By Train
Budapest Keleti Station is the city’s main international rail hub, and a lovely place to arrive. Trains from Vienna, Bratislava, Prague, and Munich are frequent and often scenic. Train travel is a great way to turn your transport into part of the adventure.
Public transport in Budapest
Budapest has an efficient and affordable public transport system, making it easy to explore the city without a car. We left ours in the garage for the entire duration of the stay. Trams, buses, and the metro are all well-connected and frequent. That said, some of the best experiences in Budapest happen on foot. The city is incredibly walkable, especially in areas like the Castle District, along the Danube promenade, or through the historic Jewish Quarter. Walking lets you slow down, take in the details, and feel the rhythm of the city, a perfect fit for off-season deep travel. We hit 30k + steps a day easily.
Pro Tips for Budget Transport in Budapest
Consider picking up a Budapest Card (24, 48 or 72-hour versions available). It gives you free access to public transport, plus discounts or free entry to museums, baths, and attractions. Great value if you plan to explore in depth. Which is why you’re reading One Planet Journey articles.
If you fancy a Danube cruise, opt for daytime sightseeing, which starts as low as €15. If you want to go even lower, you can actually use the public ferry like D11 and D12, included in the city’s regular transportation system. Same scenic routes to catch the parliament and the castle on the opposite side. Time it for sunset and you have golden hour magic.
Where to stay in Budapest on a budget
For a high calibre capital such as Budapest, we found its affordability, especially in the off-season, to be a real asset. We stayed at Vagabond Soho, a modern apartment hotel in a fantastic location near the Opera and other famous sites. It ticked all the boxes for a deep travel experience. Spacious, spotless, and came with everything you could need, like a full kitchen, washing machine, and even a garage spot for the car, which is a huge bonus in a busy city. 70-80 Euro/night.
For anyone looking to settle in and really get under the skin of the place, apartment hotels are ideal and an excellent alternative to short-term rentals, which are more suited for month-long stays. They offer more freedom and comfort than a typical hotel, and often plant you in neighbourhoods where locals actually live, rather than tourists. When we stay longer, we appreciate the possibility of making our own food from ingredients found at local markets or in supermarkets.
Here are two other similar options worth checking out for budget travel in Budapest:
Vagabond Broadway (District VI): Close to the SOHO and walking distance to everything from ruin bars to museums.
K9 Residence (District V): Smack in the middle of the action, between the Danube and Deák Ferenc Square. Right by the Dohány Street Synagogue.
Recommended Neighbourhoods in Budapest
District VII (Jewish Quarter): Ideal if you want to feel energy and culture wherever you go. You’ll find pubs, synagogues, independent shops and street art everywhere. We spent most of our time here and found it charming.
District VIII (Palace Quarter): A quieter, more local ambience with leafy streets and grandeur. Great if you like slow discovery. It gave us the sense of Budapest’s past as the capital of an empire.
District I (Buda Castle): A bit pricier but peaceful and picturesque, especially if you enjoy early morning walks before the crowds. Fantastic views and more of a fairytale vibe.
Pro Tips for Accommodation and Budget Travel in Budapest
Book in advance, even in the off-season. Apartment hotels are popular with digital nomads and long-stay travellers, so don’t miss out on good-value places as they go fast. We booked months before arriving.
Avoid peak periods like Christmas and Easter. Spring and early autumn offer better rates and pleasant weather.
Stay longer: many lodgings give discounts if you book for 3–5 nights or more. That slower pace also aligns with a deep travel mindset.
Check for extras, for example, late check-out, luggage storage or parking. In our case, having a garage saved time and money.
What to eat in Budapest
Food is a big topic of discussion for us, something we research well and long before we travel. It’s not about Michelin star dining at every turn. That has its moments, but we’re equally chasing top notch food halls, out of the way bakeries, or hole-in-the-wall street food. Maral is the adventurous one. I’m difficult, and very particular. 99 out of a 100 times, I prefer home-cooked meals, so when eating out, it has to be special.
One of the things that stood out in Budapest related to the budget friendly food options, especially considering the quality, variety, and cultural richness behind the cuisine. If you remember your Hungarian history, it makes sense. A mighty empire, centrally located, it has a rich food culture.
Must-Try Hungarian Dishes
We started out with one Hungarian dish we know well in Sweden, the classic street food hero Lángos. It’s deep-fried dough (another reason to be happy with all the walking), typically served with sour cream, garlic, and grated cheese. You’ll find it sold at kiosks and stalls around the city, but we recommend the place at the second level at the beautiful and covered Central Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok). A huge food temple where you can sample Hungarian favourites, close to the Danube river.
Other well-known dishes one or both of us tried while in town:
Gulyás (Goulash) – the national dish, a beef stew spiced with paprika and often served with bread or noodles.
Chicken Paprikash – on a cold evening in March, this felt like a warm hug. Tender chicken pieces simmered slowly in a creamy, paprika-rich sauce until they practically fall apart on your fork. The key ingredient, unsurprisingly, is Hungarian sweet paprika. It gives this fare its signature colour and deep, smoky-sweet flavour. I had it with nokedli, a kind of soft, eggy dumpling, perfect for soaking up every last spoonful of the sauce.
Pörkölt – a meat stew similar to goulash, thicker and heartier, often made with pork or chicken.
Töltött káposzta – cabbage rolls filled with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked in a tomato and paprika sauce. You will have tasted variations of this in the Levant region.
Diós és Mákos Kalács (Walnut and Poppy Seed Rolls) – Maral grabbed these sweet rolls on the way out of the Central Market and what a hit they became. Dense spiralled slices filled with rich walnut or earthy poppy seed paste. I don’t drink coffee, but I heard from good authority that they pair well.
Jewish Food & Culinary Traditions
The Jewish Quarter (District VII) turned out to be one of my favourite places to eat in Budapest. So much, in fact, that I insisted on eating at the exact same place two evenings in a row. Trust me, this doesn’t happen often at all. The Hummus Bar served hearty and soulful Middle Eastern favourites like hummus, zaatar sticks, an absolutely divine Shakshouka (poached eggs in a sauce of tomatoes, peppers, olive oil, lots of garlic, onion, fresh herbs, and sprinkles of feta cheese and parsley on top). The area itself is great to walk around at night too, filled with other cosy restaurants and atmospheric ruin pubs.
Budget Travel suggestions for eating in Budapest
Central Market Hall (District IX): If you want to keep costs low, this is a good bet. The city’s largest and most famous food hall. Head upstairs for Lángos, stews, stuffed cabbage, walnut rolls, and more. Great for lunch on the go.
Karavan Street Food Court (near Szimpla Kert): A mix of traditional and modern, featuring Lángos, burgers, goulash in a bread bowl, or vegan takes on Hungarian classics.
Belvárosi Disznótoros (District V): For meat lovers. Think sausages, schnitzels, and all the paprika-spiced sides you can handle. It’s genuine Hungarian.
Frici Papa (District VII): A long-standing local favourite, judging by the queues even in the off-season. No-frills, and to be blunt, dirt cheap. Think €5 for a full plate of food.
Pro Tips
Eat at lunch: Many restaurants offer two- or three-course lunch menus for a fraction of the dinner price.
Beer: Hungary’s affordable beers are of good quality and widely available.
Wine: If you want to splurge a tad, try the famous local wine, Tokaji. Maral, the wine expert between the two of us, convinced me to give it a go, and it impressed. It’s a sweet wine, classified depending on how sweet it is, and considered one of the world’s finest dessert wines.
Tap water is safe to drink. We carried a reusable water bottle at all times.
What to see and do in Budapest
I don’t come without a plan. I knew Budapest had much to offer and did my research, so we would get under its skin despite the budget travel focus. Budapest is a layered, characterful city and despite a wealth of incredible sights and attractions, it doesn’t have to be wallet carnage. There is a lot to be enjoyed either for free or at a modest cost, especially in the off-season. For example, St. Stephen’s Basilica is free to visit for the nave. If you want to climb the towers or see the catacombs, there is a fee. I looked forward to sweeping views of the storied Danube, powerful stories of empire, relaxing in thermal pools with steam rising into the morning air. And the city delivered.
Heroes’ Square
The perfect place to start is Heroes’ Square where colossal statues honour Hungary’s founding figures. It’s completely free to visit and pairs beautifully with a brisk walk through City Park right behind it. Off-season, you’ll have plenty of quiet moments, as we did on the way to the Vajdahunyad Castle, and Szechenyi bath, located in the park.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
We visited first thing in the morning and what a treat it turned out to be. You know that feeling when something exceeds your already high expectations. Apart from some elderly locals, we had the place to ourselves. The warm water had an extra calming effect as we floated and watched the steam curl into the spring air. Prices are reasonable if you bring your own slippers and towel. Without a doubt, one of Budapest’s most iconic experiences with off-season mornings the sweet spot. As we left, I said it would be worth coming to Budapest even if you did nothing else. I’m plotting which bathhouse to hit next as I write.
Dohány Street Synagogue
The Jewish quarter has more than great food. Dohány Synagogue is both architecturally stunning and historically significant. Tickets include entry to the Hungarian Jewish Museum, Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park, and the cemetery, making it a worthwhile cultural investment. A quiet, powerful place that deep travellers won’t want to miss. It’s actually the largest synagogue in Europe, seating over 3000 people.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building is a jaw-dropping neo-Gothic masterpiece that stretches along the Danube. Sure, you can admire it from across the river or on boat cruises, but I highly recommend a visit. We did a guided tour in English, and it gave a whole new perspective with a lot of expert information for extra depth. Completed in 1904, it’s also one of the largest such buildings in the world, with a whopping 691 rooms and nearly 20 kilometres of staircases. Don’t worry, the tour only lasted less than 45 min. Inside, we saw the Holy Crown of Hungary, and explored the lavish chambers once used by royal figures.
Budapest budget travel pro tip: Book your tickets online in advance to ensure entry and to get access to English-speaking tours. They fill up quickly, especially on weekends. And remember, there’s a discount for EU citizens.
Buda Castle District
We spent nearly a full day exploring the area on foot, and you can too, without spending much. The cobblestone streets, medieval houses, and panoramic views over the Danube are free to enjoy, and simply wandering here is one of the best ways to connect with the city. For Budapest budget travel, that’s the magic of this spot: most of the experiences don’t cost a forint.
The Castle itself, in reality more of a palace complex, houses the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. I recommend both if you’re a culture vulture. If you have the Budapest card, claim your discount. Take in the architecture, courtyards, and public terraces, which offer arguably the best views in the city. It’s also worth seeing the Matthias Church and fairytale like Fisherman’s Bastion nearby. The latter charges a small entry fee for the upper balconies, but the lower section is free and still spectacular.
Pro Tips for Budget Sightseeing in Budapest
Budapest Card: As mentioned, it includes free public transport and discounts or free entry to key attractions like the National Gallery and History Museum. Worth it if you plan 2–3 stops per day.
Go early: Beat the crowds and feel the city breathe.
Free Museum Days: National holidays and certain monthly dates come with free admission to state museums. Plan accordingly.
Walking wins: Budapest is made for walking. Side streets reveal faded mansions, cosy cafés, and unexpected views. For example, walk up to Buda Castle District, instead of using the funicular. Free and full of charm.
Budapest – budget travel that takes you far
Budapest surprised me. Not with its grandeur, that I expected, but with how accessible it is in the off-season and how far you can stretch a budget. The city opened up in ways that felt personal, generous, and deeply rewarding. From the warmth of the thermal baths at sunrise to a perfect meal in the Jewish quarter, it reminded me that deep travel has little to do with splurging. It’s about taking your time and letting the place speak.
See this Budapest budget travel guide as a starting point. There’s so much more here for the curious traveller, and I invite you to make your own personal guide of hidden courtyards, incredible street food, and historical facts. If you visit outside peak season, you tap into something more honest and unfiltered. And that, to me, is the true gift of meaningful, off-season travel.
Have you been to Hungary? Which cities did you visit? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.
