Thinking about a solo city break in Europe? Hungary’s capital might just be the answer.
Solo travel in Budapest is safe and affordable, the city has more bars and restaurants than you can shake a stick at, and there are oodles of things to do. I’ve visited Budapest a few times and it’s one of my favourite European solo city break destinations.
Here’s what I’ve learned about visiting Budapest alone: why to go, safety tips for women travelling solo, the best things to do, how to get around and where to stay.
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OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Hungarian but English is widely spoken
CURRENCY: Hungarian Forint (HUF or Ft)
ELECTRICITY: 230V. Power sockets are of type C and F
FEMALE SOLO TRAVEL SAFETY RATING: Safe
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED? Spend at least two days in Budapest to see its main sights but preferably three days
BEST TIME TO VISIT BUDAPEST: Spring or autumn
Introducing Budapest
Once known as the Paris of the East, occupation, dictatorships and the communist rcommunist rule chipped away at its shine, but the city has since found its sparkle again.
Budapest was created when Buda and Pest were united with a smaller third city, Óbuda, in 1873. Each side of the river has a distinct personality.
Buda is on the river’s west bank and is where you’ll find Budapest’s Old Town. Pest, on the river’s east bank, is the city’s lively 19th-century commercial centre, home to many of the city’s top attractions.
Why Take a Solo Trip to Budapest?
Budapest is packed with things to do
Whether you’ve got one day in Budapest or two weeks, you won’t run out of things to see. History, museums, thermal baths and food all feature heavily, and the Buda Castle Quarter, the Danube embankment and Andrássy Avenue are all UNESCO listed.
The bar scene is legendary
Nowhere else in Eastern Europe does nightlife quite like Budapest. Between boat parties on the Danube and the famous ruin bars, a night out here is a good opportunity to meet other travellers
It’s easy to get around
Most of the main sights sit close together, so Budapest is a walkable city for the most part. For anywhere further out, the trams, buses and metro are cheap and simple to use.
Budapest is affordable
If you’ve felt the pinch travelling in Southern Europe’s tourist hotspots, Budapest is a welcome change. Hungary isn’t in the Eurozone and the forint has weakened in recent years, which keeps costs down for visitors.
On my last visit, a generous evening meal with wine rarely cost more than €15, and a good 4-star hotel came in around €150 a night. There’s plenty of room to spend less if you’re on a tighter budget.
Is Budapest Safe for Female Solo Travellers?
Keeping safe when travelling is the most important consideration for women going it alone. Budapest is safe for solo female travellers.
I never felt unsafe during my two solo visits to Budapest, even walking around at night
Violent crime is rare. The main risk is from bag snatchers and nimble-fingered pick-pockets, particularly around the 8th District (the Palace Quarter near the National Museum) and along Váci Street.
Use common sense as you would anywhere: stick to streets you know after dark and always know your route back to your accommodation. Keep valuables at your hotel and use an anti-theft bag when you’re out.
I use this PacSafe backpack, which has anti-RFID technology and a hidden pocket.
My Favourite Things to Do in Budapest as a Solo Traveller
1. Take in the view from the Fishermen’s Bastion
Head up to the Fishermen’s Bastion for the classic view over Pest and the Danube. You can pay to climb the upper level of this rampart of turrets and stairways, but the view from the free lower level is just as good.
2. See both sides of the river from Géllert Hill
This 140-metre dolomite outcrop gives one of the best panoramic views in the city and is a favourite Instagram spot for good reason.
3. Visit one of Europe’s most beautiful churches
Matthias Church is beautiful inside and out. It’s well worth the admission fee.
Its exterior is a profusion of towers with toothy spires. Inside, multicoloured columns are painted with leaves and geometric motifs, and shafts of light illuminate its gilded altars and stone sculptures.
4. Wallow in the Gresham Palace’s Art Nouveau splendour
Like Art Nouveau architecture? Then you will love the Gresham Palace, which is now part of the Four Seasons hotel chain. You don’t have to stay in the hotel to walk around its lobby.
5. Pay your respects at the Shoes on the Danube
This memorial to Budapest’s Jewish community, murdered during the Nazi occupation, is simple and hard to forget: sixty pairs of cast-iron shoes lined along the riverbank, where victims were made to remove their footwear before being shot.
6. Tour the Hungarian Parliament Building
Book ahead for one of the 45-minute tours inside this landmark building. Tickets sell out well in advance, though same-day tickets sometimes turn up at the Visitor Centre. Book via the official website.
7. Admire the view from the terrace of St. Stephen’s Basilica
The best view in Pest is from the Basilica’s terrace. Inside, this 19th-century church houses the mummified hand of Hungary’s patron saint.
8. Don’t miss Europe’s largest synagogue
Dohány Street Synagogue, or Budapest Great Synagogue, is an architectural marvel, a beacon of cultural heritage and a testament to the enduring spirit of the city’s Jewish people and their history. Visit the Holocaust Tree of Life Memorial on the synagogue’s northern side after the excellent 45-minute tour included with your ticket.
9. Learn about Budapest’s dark history at the House of Terror
This superb museum remembers the victims of the Fascist and Stalinist regimes that operated in Hungary in the 20th century. It is housed in the former headquarters of the dreaded ÁVH secret police.
10. Treat yourself to coffee and cake
And why not? My patisserie of choice is Gerbeaud Café. Although it is hugely popular, I don’t think Budapest’s New York Café is worth it.
11. Relax in one of Budapest’s thermal baths
Relaxing in one of the city’s thermal baths is a Budapest classic. Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths are the two city pools that are most popular with visitors (I had a lovely time at the Géllert Baths on my first visit to Budapest).
12. Spend a night at the opera (or take a tour of the opera house)
Tickets for a performance at the opera house are affordable compared with elsewhere in Europe, so book ahead. If opera isn’t your thing, you can still tour the building on a 45-minute tour.
13. Take a sunset cruise on the Danube
What could be better than sailing along the Danube as you watch the city’s skyline light up, whilst sipping a glass of fizz? This one-hour Danube cruise also includes an audioguide.
14. Learn about Hungarian wine at a wine-tasting evening
An evening spent tasting Hungarian wine was one of my favourite solo experiences in Budapest. We were served eight generous pours of wine, including the famous Tokaji dessert wine, paired with charcuterie and cheeses.
15. Hit the ruin bars
I’m more a cheese-and-wine girl, but pub crawls around Budapest’s ruin bars are hugely popular. These (in)famous bars are in the courtyards of vacant pre-war buildings of the city’s Jewish Quarter. Book your tour here.
Getting There and Getting Around
How to get to Budapest
Flights land at Budapest Airport (BUD), about ten miles southeast of the centre. The cheapest way in is the 100E Airport Express bus, which takes around 40 minutes.
On my last visit I arrived by train from Košice into the grand Keleti station. Budapest has three main stations: Keleti (east), Nyugati (west) and Déli (south).
Getting around Budapest
Much of the centre is walkable. I only used the metro to get to and from the station, but there’s a full network of buses, trams and metro trains if you need it (more here).
Passes covering 24 hours, 72 hours or a week are available. The Budapest Card includes public transport plus free entry to some top attractions, admission to Lukács Thermal Bath and a free walking tour.
Where to Stay in Budapest as a Solo Traveller
Picking the right place to stay can make or break a solo trip, and you’ll need to choose between staying in Pest or Buda.
Choose a hotel in Pest if you want to stay in the thick of things. The Buda side of the river tends to be quieter at night.
Having stayed on both sides of the city, I prefer Buda as it is more tranquil, and I love the views across the river. But what is right for me may not be the best choice for you.
Here is where I stayed on my last visit:
Park Plaza Hotel
I would book a room at this Radisson hotel again purely for the unforgettable view of the river and the Parliament Building from my bedroom window. As well as its fabulous riverside location, the room was spacious and the staff were super friendly.
TG Hotel Suites Budapest
This large and stylish apartment is on the doorstep of several restaurants and cafes and a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Basilica. As a solo traveller, the building was very secure.
Budapest Solo Travel FAQs
Is Budapest good for solo travellers?
Yes. It’s safe, affordable and easy to get around, with enough sights to fill several days.
How many days do you need in Budapest?
Two days covers the main sights, though three gives you more room to slow down.
Is Budapest safe to walk around alone at night?
Generally yes. Violent crime is rare, though pickpockets are active in busy areas like Váci Street and the 8th District. Stick to streets you know and keep valuables out of sight.
Should solo travellers stay in Buda or Pest?
Pest puts you closer to restaurants, bars and nightlife. Buda is quieter, with better views across the river.
Thank you for reading my Budapest solo travel guide
I hope that it helps you plan the perfect solo vacation. If you have found this guide helpful, take a look at my other Budapest articles:
- Two Days in Budapest: An Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal
- A Perfect 1-Day Budapest Itinerary & Self-Guided Walking Tour
- Is It Better to Stay in Buda or Pest? Where to Stay in Budapest
- Is the New York Café Budapest Worth it?
- Visiting Budapest Great Synagogue: Bridging History and Faith
- Exploring Matthias Church Budapest: A Historical and Architectural Marvel
- Why You Should Go Wine Tasting in Budapest
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.