Solo Travel in Budapest: A Practical Guide

Traveling solo to Budapest? You're in for a treat. This Hungarian capital has everything you need for an amazing solo trip - beautiful buildings, hot springs, great nightlife, and prices that won't empty your wallet. We've been to Budapest multiple times, and it's honestly one of the best cities in Europe for people traveling alone.

Is Budapest Good for Solo Travelers?

Budapest is fantastic for solo travel. We always tell people it's one of the easiest European cities to explore on your own. The city center is super walkable, the metro system is simple to figure out, and locals are pretty friendly. Solo female travelers especially love Budapest because it feels really safe.

What we love most about Budapest is how easy it is to meet other travelers. The hostel scene here is incredible - we've made friends from all over the world just hanging out in hostel common areas. Plus, there are tons of walking tours, and the famous ruin bars are perfect for striking up conversations with fellow travelers.

Even if you prefer doing your own thing, Budapest has tons of quiet spots. The thermal baths are perfect for relaxing alone, and there are amazing viewpoints where you can just sit and think. We discovered some great little cafes where we spent hours just watching people go by.

Your money goes really far here too. We paid about the same for a nice hotel room in Budapest as we would for a hostel bed in London or Paris. And the food? You can get a proper meal with wine for what you'd pay for a sandwich in most Western European cities.

Where to Stay When Traveling Solo

Picking the right place to stay makes a huge difference when you're traveling alone. We always recommend Districts V, VI, or VII - you can walk to most attractions and the public transport is right there.

Hostels for Meeting People

If you want to meet other travelers, hostels are the way to go. We stayed at Wombat's City Hostel and loved it. The location is perfect, they have lockers in the rooms, and the hostel bar downstairs is where everyone hangs out. Dorm beds cost around $14 per night, which is crazy cheap.

The Hive Party Hostel is great if you're looking to party and meet tons of people. They organize activities every day and the atmosphere is really fun. For something a bit calmer, we recommend Maverick City Lodge. It still has a social vibe but it's cleaner and quieter than the party hostels.

Boutique Hotels for Comfort

If you want your own space but still want character, Budapest has some amazing boutique hotels that won't break the bank. We stayed at House Beletage-Boutique Hotel in District VIII and it was beautiful. Nice rooms, modern amenities, and a lovely terrace. Rooms start around $100 per night during shoulder season, which is pretty good for what you get.

Splurging on Luxury

When we wanted to treat ourselves, we stayed at Aria Hotel. It has an indoor pool, spa, and the rooftop bar has incredible views of the city. They do free wine and cheese in the afternoons too. The whole hotel has a music theme which is pretty cool.

Staying Safe as a Solo Traveler

Budapest is one of the safest cities in Europe for solo travelers, including women. We've never felt unsafe here, even walking around late at night. But you should still use common sense.

Keep your valuables secure and watch your surroundings, especially in busy tourist spots like the Great Market Hall or crowded metro stations. Pickpocketing happens sometimes, mostly in really touristy areas where there are lots of people.

Use official taxis or ride-sharing apps when it's late. Real taxis in Budapest are yellow with a taxi sign on top and yellow license plates. We always use Bolt (like Uber) because you know the price upfront and can track your route.

Tell someone back home your plans and download offline maps and translation apps. Most people in Budapest speak English, but having a few Hungarian phrases ready can be helpful.

We always carry copies of important documents separate from the originals. A money belt is useful in crowded places if you're worried about pickpockets.

Meeting Other Travelers

One thing we love about Budapest is how easy it is to meet people when you're traveling alone:

Stay in social hostels

Many hostels organize pub crawls, group dinners, or walking tours. It's the easiest way to meet people instantly. We joined a hostel pub crawl on our first night and ended up hanging out with the same group for the rest of our trip.

Join free walking tours

These are perfect for meeting other travelers while learning about the city. Most start from Vörösmarty Square or Elisabeth Square. We always do one on our first day.

Book group activities

Food tours, pub crawls, and boat cruises are great for meeting people. When you're trying Hungarian wine or local food together, conversations just happen naturally.

Visit ruin bars

These unique Budapest bars are perfect for socializing. Szimpla Kert is the original one and has a Sunday farmers' market that brings in both locals and tourists.

Use travel apps

Apps like Meetup, Couchsurfing events, or even Bumble BFF can help you connect with other travelers or locals. We met some great people this way during our last trip.

Getting Around Budapest Solo

Budapest's public transport is really good and cheap, which makes it perfect for solo travelers. We never had any problems figuring it out.

From the Airport

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport connects to cities all over the world. When you land, you have several ways to get to the city:

Public Transport: The 100E bus goes straight to the city center for under €5. It's comfortable, runs frequently, and has space for luggage.

Airport Shuttle: Shared shuttles take you door-to-door for reasonable prices if you don't want to deal with public transport right away.

Ride-sharing Apps: Both Bolt and Freenow work in Budapest and give you the price upfront, which is nice when you're tired from traveling.

Getting Around the City

Walking: Most of Budapest's main attractions are close together, so you can walk to lots of places. The Pest side is flat and easy to walk around.

Public Transport: Budapest has metros, trams, and buses that go everywhere. Single tickets cost about 450 HUF (around $1.27), but if you're taking multiple trips, get a day pass. Download the BudapestGO app to buy tickets on your phone.

Ride-sharing: We use Bolt a lot, especially late at night or when we're tired from walking all day. The app shows you the price before you book, and you can track your route.

Food Experiences for Solo Diners

Hungarian food is hearty and perfect when you need to refuel after walking around all day. Here's what you need to try:

Goulash: This is Hungary's most famous dish. It's basically a really good beef soup with vegetables and lots of paprika. Perfect when it's cold outside.

Lángos: This is deep-fried flatbread usually topped with sour cream and cheese. You can find it at markets and food stalls everywhere. We probably ate this every day during our first trip.

Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács): Sweet pastry that's roasted over charcoal and covered with sugar, cinnamon, or other toppings. You'll see street vendors selling these everywhere.

Best Places to Eat Alone

Central Market Hall: The upstairs food stalls are perfect for solo travelers. You can try different Hungarian dishes without feeling weird about eating alone. The communal seating makes it feel natural.

Mazel Tov: This restaurant in the Jewish Quarter is really welcoming for solo diners. The Middle Eastern food is a nice change from heavy Hungarian dishes.

Ruin bars: Many of them serve food too, like Szimpla Kert. The casual atmosphere makes it easy to eat alone.

Food Tours

We always recommend food tours for solo travelers. You get to try local food and meet other people at the same time. The street food tours are especially good - you'll try lángos, paprika sausage, chimney cake, and strudel while walking around with other travelers.

Solo Travel Itineraries

2 Days in Budapest

Day 1:

• Morning: Breakfast at Bambi Café, then check out Fisherman's Bastion and Buda Castle
• Lunch: Central Market Hall - try some traditional Hungarian food
• Afternoon: Ride the Budapest Eye and take a tour of the Parliament Building
• Evening: Dinner at Mazel Tov, then either take a wine cruise on the Danube or grab drinks at a rooftop bar

Day 2:

• Morning: Join a food tour to try Hungarian specialties (or do a bike tour if you prefer)
• Afternoon: Relax at Széchenyi Baths and try the Thermal Beer Spa
• Evening: Quick dinner at Retro Lángos, then explore the ruin bars or join a pub crawl

If You Have More Time

With extra days in Budapest, we recommend:

• Hungarian wine tasting with cheese and meat
• Day trip to Margaret Island and its thermal baths
• Tour of the State Opera House
• Check out the National Museum
• Take a free walking tour about Communist history or Jewish heritage

When to Visit Budapest Solo

You can visit Budapest any time of year, but some seasons are better for solo travelers:

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are perfect. The weather is nice, there aren't as many tourists, and hotel prices are more reasonable. We always try to visit during these times.

Summer has festivals and long days but it gets hot and crowded. If you go in summer, book your accommodation early because prices go up and places fill up.

Winter has beautiful Christmas markets but you need warm clothes. The thermal baths are amazing when it's cold outside - there's steam everywhere and it feels magical.

Frequently Asked Questions