Budapest and Bratislava: My trip of two cities!

Why Budapest?

Choosing Budapest as a travel destination was a no-brainer. Not only is it a vibrant and culturally rich city, but its excellent connections to other parts of Eastern Europe make it a perfect hub for day trips. I managed to squeeze in a visit to Bratislava, and the allure of the famous thermal baths and the majestic Danube River made Budapest irresistible.

Transportation

For this trip, I booked a holiday package via British Airways for my sister and me (big shoutout to my amazing sister Tayo for sponsoring this adventure!). In Nigeria, we often refer to anyone older than us as Sister or Aunty, so big up to Sister Tayo!

The British Airways deal was a steal at £436 for a 3-night stay for two on a bank holiday weekend, including breakfast. I prefer BA flights from Heathrow because they include checked-in bags, and I can easily take an affordable train to the airport without incurring extra parking costs, unlike budget airlines. However, budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet also offer very cheap flights to Budapest, sometimes as low as £12.99 one way during sales.

Our BA flight landed us in Budapest at almost midnight, so we opted for a taxi to our hotel, which cost around £22.

Accommodation

We stayed at the Impulso Fashion Hotel, chosen for its central location and budget-friendly price. Despite the hotel being in an area with many homeless people, it didn’t dampen our spirits. The hotel itself was modern, stylish, and comfortable on the inside.

Breakfast was a delightful spread with a variety of options, and the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Evi for assisting us with our travel plans on the second day. Our initial room was quite small, but after expressing our concerns, we were moved to a more spacious room with twin beds. Overall, I’d rate the hotel a solid 7 out of 10. Here is a list of my top rated hotels in Budapest and why.

Things to Do in Budapest

Day 1: Exploring the City and Thermal Bath Experience

Our first day in Budapest was all about getting a feel for the city. We spent the day wandering through the charming streets on foot, taking in the stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Budapest is a city best explored by walking, allowing you to stumble upon hidden gems and local delights.

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the thermal baths, a quintessential Budapest experience. We opted for Dandar Thermal Baths over the more famous Gellert and Széchenyi baths, as I had read that the latter can be quite crowded. Entry to Dandar cost 3000 HUF (Hungarian Forint) and an additional 5000 HUF for a massage.

Now, let me share a bit about our experience. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a letdown. The building was old and the changing facilities were outdated. One important tip: remember to bring your own towels, as we forgot ours and had to make do without.

The massage was another aspect that didn’t quite meet our expectations. It was performed by men, which might be uncomfortable for some. If this is a concern, make sure to check who will be providing the massage when booking. It’s a good idea to give them a call if you’re booking online to ensure you get the experience you want.

Whilst the massage itself was good, the ambience was not, the room was bare,windows wide open I could hear blaring noise of cars honking, no resemblance of what a serene massage atmosphere should be. I was like “ewo tun le lei “ (meaning this is beyond my imagination!)

Despite the disappointments, we tried to make the best of the situation. After our visit to the thermal baths, we took a leisurely walk back to our hotel and enjoyed a soothing nap to recharge.

Here are some photos here to give you a better idea of what to expect from Dandar Thermal Baths.

Dinner in Budapest

Since Impulso Fashion Hotel does not provide dinner, we decided to dress up and enjoy a night out in town. Initially, we had booked a table at Tati’s Farm to Table based on rave reviews. However, we made a last-minute change to Fuego Restaurant, and it turned out to be an excellent decision.

Fuego, which means “fire,” truly lived up to its name. Located downtown and within walking distance from our hotel, Fuego is famous for its fall-off-the-bone chicken, which we eagerly opted for. The portions were large and incredibly tasty, the staff was friendly, and the ambiance was delightful. Affordable food with a great atmosphere—what more could a travel lover ask for?

Day 2: A Day Trip to Bratislava

In the spirit of adventure and ticking countries off our list, we decided to explore the neighbouring country’s capital, Bratislava. I can tell you for a fact that this was the highlight of my trip.

Bratislava is just 2 hours away by train, and the international train station in Budapest is called Nyugati. Getting to this station from our hotel was easy; it took us 16 minutes by tram (lines 2 or 4). We bought our tickets at the station since this was a last-minute decision, but Budapest’s national transport website, Mav Start, is the best place to buy tickets online.

Bratislava was a win for me because it’s a very neat town compared to Budapest. The people seemed cheerful and generally in better spirits, in my opinion. I absolutely loved the many sculptures in the old town.

Here’s what we got up to in Bratislava:

1. Watched the Changing of the Guards: We walked through the palace to watch the changing of the guards.
2. Explored the Old Town: We wandered through the cobbled streets of the old town, stopped at St. Michael’s Gate for a few shots, and visited the famous “Man at Work” statue. Did you spot the compass with distances? It tells you how far most countries are from that location and in what direction—pretty cool, in my opinion.
3. Visited the Castle: We took a walk to Bratislava Castle for a stunning view. Unfortunately, we were too tired to climb the gazillion stairs.
4. Enjoyed a Meal and Gelato: We stopped for a meal at good ol’ Burger King and had the tastiest gelato ever!

We headed back to the train station around 6 PM to catch our train back to Budapest. One last thing we did was walk around to see the Danube River. Did you know that the Danube River runs across several countries? The Danube flows through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Here are a few tips I learned during my 3-day budget trip to Budapest and Bratislava:

• Currency: The national currency in Budapest is Forint, not Euro. While most stores accept Euros, the exchange rate is low, and you’ll receive change in Forint.
• Transportation: The public transport system is excellent, so taxis aren’t necessary. If you do need a taxi, use the Bolt app for cheaper fares.
• Airport Transfer: Bus 100 is the most affordable way to travel to and from the airport, stopping at major city locations.

You’re welcome! Let me know what adventures you get up to when you visit!