Anyone been to Budapest, Hungary? (serious) (mod reps for helpful answers)

[ibizasurfer]

I have to go for a college interview, and id like to know what there is to do there, and prices of taxis and that stuff, if ppl spke english, etc

[pogue]

Mod reps for good and serious replies.

[Mouzer]

Hey bro, my parents are Hungarian and ive visited quite a few times during my life. Its a beautiful city, alot to see and do if you will end up having time for sightseeing.
Sorry but not too many people speak English from my experiences there.

Stuff to do there: While in Budapest take the tour of the parlament, very interesting.
Also theres a few huge churches to visit if you like amazing architecture and history.
Majority of Restaraunts are fairly cheap and have great food and they give you enough to eat twice over.

Just out side Budapest there a few medival castles which also give tours and such.

Also there is a few winarys in Hungary im not too positve but i think there is one close by to Budapest if you are into the whole Wine thing.

Not too sure about taxi prices since each time i was there we retned a vehicle. But im sure it would be pretty cheap. Everything for the most part is rather inexpensive compared to the U.S.

Any other info or questions feel free to ask me.
Enjoy the trip bro!

[hellasx44]

i have a cousin who lives there so i went there after i went to Greece for my European excursion. he took me around and we saw some castles that looked pretty ill since i was drunk most of the time since he was 24 and a cop and i was 16. other than that we just chilled drank some beers. not too many english speaking ppl lived there i dont think they were mostly tourists, some young ppl could.

as for taxis u should use buses and other public transportation its ran pretty good there, taxis are expensive and they expect nice tips there.

how long ya gona be there?

[ibizasurfer]

Originally Posted by hellasx44

i have a cousin who lives there so i went there after i went to Greece for my European excursion. he took me around and we saw some castles that looked pretty ill since i was drunk most of the time since he was 24 and a cop and i was 16. other than that we just chilled drank some beers. not too many english speaking ppl lived there i dont think they were mostly tourists, some young ppl could.

as for taxis u should use buses and other public transportation its ran pretty good there, taxis are expensive and they expect nice tips there.

how long ya gona be there?

im going tomorrow and come back on friday, im just gonna do an interview and soem exams and thats all, doubt ill have time for anythin else, im also going on my own so im not gonna go out or anything the thing that ppl dont speak english sucks idk what im gonna do, and as for the buses and stuff, i was thinkin about takin a taxi and not havin to worry since theyre supposedly very cheap

[hellasx44]

Originally Posted by ibizasurfer

im going tomorrow and come back on friday, im just gonna do an interview and soem exams and thats all, doubt ill have time for anythin else, im also going on my own so im not gonna go out or anything the thing that ppl dont speak english sucks idk what im gonna do, and as for the buses and stuff, i was thinkin about takin a taxi and not havin to worry since theyre supposedly very cheap

if u wana spend the extra money for em its whatever, they arent too much but they are comparably higher than buses. your not gona be there for long neway, are u staying at the school?

[Brad24]

Visited budapest for a couple of days 2 years ago, one thing i remember was the taxi service was pretty poor. Was with my parents so we were unaware of how good the public transportation system was (which we found out on the second day, would definately recommend). As hellas said they expected big tips and when my dad expressed his unhappiness at the price of one taxi fare the drive got quite aggressive so i'd definately avoid that.

I heard the water was ok to drink but we still bought mineral water which was around everywhere so that wasn't a problem. Would agree with staying in most of the time seeing as your on your own but if you do go out in the day i'd recommend the buda castle quarter, not sure whether you'll be anywhere near it but i remember that as a nice thing to visit.

In terms of the language, obviously i can't really talk for budapest as a whole being that i was only there for 2 days, but the older generation seemed to speak very little if at all, but some of the younger ones spoke some basic english, probably because of schooling or something? I dunno, either way if you need help i'd say approach the younger ones rather than older ones because they barely spoke it.

[Brutalise]

I've been there, it's fairly touristy with not much to do apart from enjoy the scenery and take boat trips... is a nice place though and quite interesting if you're into the history side of things

[MikeyBl]

we ate on the train so we got there full








lulz














*slaps knee*







i kill myself

in b4 kill yourself

[ibizasurfer]

honestly, idk how im gonna figure out the transportation cos the names of the streets are pretty weird, like the one of my hotel, idk how im gonna get there, everytime i go somewhere i just follow the ppl i go with, sucks now that i dont have anyone

[RMHSLB]

i would take in all the scenery and the wimminz

http://www.plunderguide.com/wp-conte...a-605x1000.jpg

[G_Conquer]

I haven't been there but you should go here






The Thermal Bath Hotel


I saw it in a game and it looked badass. lulz.

[ElmoMAD]

As with most European countries, it depends on the generation that youre dealing with which will determine if they speak english or not. Younger generations should be more familiar with the language so I believe you should have no issues communication. Plus I think you won't be the first english speaking student there so the dean or whatever they call the guy should have no issues with the interview.

Budapest is a really nice city actually...very touristy. The parliament buildings look pretty cool. However I have never been there. I just know its one of the better cities in eastern europe and the architecture is pretty cool. If you can't spend any money go and take a walk about town and enjoy the scenery. God knows we don't have building like that over here.

[Brutalise]

Originally Posted by G_Conquer

I haven't been there but you should go here


The Thermal Bath Hotel


I saw it in a game and it looked badass. lulz.

the water is hot as **** in there

[ibizasurfer]

Originally Posted by RMHSLB

i would take in all the scenery and the wimminz

http://www.plunderguide.com/wp-conte...a-605x1000.jpg

youre 14

[ShamWHOAH]

I have only been there as a tourist so I can't speak as someone actually living there. The city itself is beautiful, but the people... they are among the most unwelcoming I've ever met and I've been to almost every European country.

They are very cold towards people that don't speak their language. I asked numerous times for help from people in the street and was always given a cold shoulder or half-ass directions. (If you take a taxi, FIX THE RATE in advance. )

Instead of welcoming tourism with open arms, as it's a significant source of revenue for the country, it seems like Hungarians try to screw tourists every which way (hotels, taxis, tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.)

...yes mad.

There are still though a lot of beautiful things to see in and around Budapest (I highly recommend a drive to Lake Balaton or to wine country... little known fact that Hungarians make great wine)

I could give you a list of things to do, but this link is a better source of info...

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...st-TG-C-1.html

Edit : I should have mentioned that the younger generation of Hungarians seems to be more friendly and open-minded and as another poster mentioned, they tend to speak better English.

[Big.Jazayrli]

very often you can find difficulty with english-speaking people in eastern europe. but that part of the world, especially budapest, is rich in history. you can find all sorts of beautiful churches and cathedrals that will just dazzle you. some may even seem like castles. i would think that the history would be the most interesting thing.

[ibizasurfer]

and im not gonna be sightseeing at all, im gonna have to spend the whole day at the college, cos i have to take several exams and the interview, so my main concern its the transport, and since everyone says dont take a taxi i guess ill try the buses

[ZombieClive]

PM me, im hungarian, and my cousin is currently visiting budapest from pittsburgh with her husband.

take your time and write up as many questions as you want, and i will forward them to her via email-- and make sure to get you a reply once she is back.

Her husband went there during college as well, and speaks it fluently now, and should have a good deal of knowledge about it.

im sure they would be happy to help me out helping you out.

good luck

[ShamWHOAH]

Originally Posted by ibizasurfer

and im not gonna be sightseeing at all, im gonna have to spend the whole day at the college, cos i have to take several exams and the interview, so my main concern its the transport, and since everyone says dont take a taxi i guess ill try the buses

It's not that the taxis are expensive as everything is pretty cheap in Hungary, it's that some drivers manage to speed up their meters somehow or they just take long routes. If you have an idea of how much it should cost to go from A to B, try to fix a rate with the driver... but it's unlikely that you would have an idea if you've never been there! :P

About the buses, quote from Virtual Tourist site :

During summertime BKV controllers obviously peck on foreign tourists, as the fines make up a significant part of their meager salaries. They don't care if you don't know, don't understand, etc, when they stop you, they want to give you a FINE.

Some of the tricks:

-the slots of ticket vendor machines are taped with Scotch tape
-ticket punching machines don't work (trams, buses)
-ticket punching machines are placed in places where you don't notice (subway)
-you may accidentally walk into BKV property from the street, bingo!
-you change a line on the subway (of course you don't know you are) and bingo! (Deak Square)
-when you validate your ticket you pull it out too fast from the machine so the printing gets smudgy, bingo!
-you have bought a week ticket but you don't keep it in a BKV picture ID, bingo
-you have bought a week ticket, you have the picture but you didn't copy the ID number from the card onto the ticket, bingo
-you got the damn week ticket, picture OK, there is a number but it's not too clearly written

You can save yourself from a lot of trouble if you buy a DAY TICKET FOR ALL LINES(900 HUF), no picture, no ID, etc. Just put it in your wallet and show it, like you would do with your ticket in a country with civilised transport. This pass will let you go all the way until midnight the next day.

(BKV is the bus company in Budapest)

[MuscleMan009]

Originally Posted by pogue

Mod reps for good and serious replies.

lol I guess you got the nudes already?

[ibizasurfer]

Originally Posted by MuscleMan009

lol I guess you got the nudes already?

obviously, hes my bf

[GOTMORETRAPS]

Originally Posted by ibizasurfer

I have to go for a college interview, and id like to know what there is to do there, and prices of taxis and that stuff, if ppl spke english, etc

Hi I had a roommate for a year in college that was from there. So I can help you with how the ppl are there, well at least the guys. They are very shy ppl imo. Are somewhat proud of themselves for some unknown reason. And they have very light skin and have a distinct look about them. They also fold their laundry before they put it in the dryer which was really wierd to me. well there you go....hope I helped

[pogue]

Originally Posted by MuscleMan009

lol I guess you got the nudes already?

IN B4 "strong whiteknight pogue"

[ibizasurfer]

Originally Posted by joshferencz

PM me, im hungarian, and my cousin is currently visiting budapest from pittsburgh with her husband.

take your time and write up as many questions as you want, and i will forward them to her via email-- and make sure to get you a reply once she is back.

Her husband went there during college as well, and speaks it fluently now, and should have a good deal of knowledge about it.

im sure they would be happy to help me out helping you out.

good luck

but im leaving in 8 h lol, u cant do all that in so little time, main concern its how to get to places, and that guy gave a great answer

[ibizasurfer]

Originally Posted by GOTMORETRAPS

Hi I had a roommate for a year in college that was from there. So I can help you with how the ppl are there, well at least the guys. They are very shy ppl imo. Are somewhat proud of themselves for some unknown reason. And they have very light skin and have a distinct look about them. They also fold their laundry before they put it in the dryer which was really wierd to me. well there you go....hope I helped

lol very useful, and what do u mean proud of themselves, cos ive never seen anyone more proud of themselves than americans, and those are the ones that have no reason, except for pogue

[hungarian_boss]

Things to do: As already mentioned; castles, parliment, but def. check out Lake Balaton, that's like the "hip" spot. If it's warm enough you'll be surrounded by naked women wearing floss for bikini's.

People speaking english: If you hang around the college, there will be plenty of people that speak broken english.

The farther you go out from Budapest the less english is spoken, and the poorer/more old fashioned it gets.

As for Hungarians being rude, it all depends on who you talk to. The older generation does tend to have a stick up there ass, but the younger generation are much more polite, and friendly.

Prices all depend on where you go. In Budapest, everything is EXPENSIVE, b/c obviously it is the most traveled by tourists. Like I said, the farther you go out from Budapest, the cheaper, poorer, ruder, less english, older people get.

[laughin_man]

I've been to Budapest and its a beautiful city but kinda has boring night life. Cant remember the prices but i guess id remember if it was something out of the ordinary. Oh and a lot of people dont speak english.

[ibizasurfer]

Originally Posted by hungarian_boss

Things to do: As already mentioned; castles, parliment, but def. check out Lake Balaton, that's like the "hip" spot. If it's warm enough you'll be surrounded by naked women wearing floss for bikini's.

People speaking english: If you hang around the college, there will be plenty of people that speak broken english.

The farther you go out from Budapest the less english is spoken, and the poorer/more old fashioned it gets.

As for Hungarians being rude, it all depends on who you talk to. The older generation does tend to have a stick up there ass, but the younger generation are much more polite, and friendly.

Prices all depend on where you go. In Budapest, everything is EXPENSIVE, b/c obviously it is the most traveled by tourists. Like I said, the farther you go out from Budapest, the cheaper, poorer, ruder, less english, older people get.

im taking the exam in budapest, but im applying for szeged university and pecs, for the medical programs in english, im just gonna be there one day really, so im not gonna see anything, but im pretty worried about how to get to places and i know ppl try to take advantage of tourists just like eevrywhere ive gone and just like torurists get taken advantaged of here, so thast mainly what im worried about

[MuscleMan009]

Originally Posted by ibizasurfer

obviously, hes my bf

gjpm