Budapest Card Review – Should you take Budapest Pass?

What is a Budapest Card?

Unlock the treasures of Budapest with the Budapest Card, the official city pass that offers a wealth of benefits. Here’s a closer look at what the Budapest Card has to offer:

Pros of the Budapest Card:

1. Unlimited Public Transportation: Enjoy hassle-free exploration with unlimited access to Budapest’s public transportation system, including buses, trams, and metro.
2. Free Entry to 30+ Attractions: Gain complimentary admission to over 30 of Budapest’s top attractions, including renowned museums and galleries.
3. Guided Sightseeing Tour: Immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture with a guided sightseeing tour of both Buda and Pest, offering a comprehensive overview of Budapest’s unique charm.
4. Thermal Bath Experience: Relax and rejuvenate at St. Lukacs Thermal Bath, a renowned thermal bath and swimming pool, included in your pass.
5. Discounts Galore: Enjoy discounts of up to 50% at various attractions, cafes, restaurants, and shops, allowing you to make the most of your Budapest experience without breaking the bank.

Museums and Galleries Included with the Budapest Card:

• Hungarian National Gallery
• Hungarian National Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Budapest History Museum – Castle Museum
• Memento Park – Statue Park Museum
• Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center
• House of Hungarian Photographers – Mai Manó House
• Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art
• Budapest History Museum – Aquincum Museum
• Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts
• Vasarely Museum
• Budapest History Museum – Kiscell Museum

Other Attractions Included:

• Free visit at Budatower
• Free visit at Pálvölgyi Cave
• Free Official Budapest Castle Bus
• Free Pest and Buda guided walking tours
• Free admission to St. Lukács Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool
• Free ride on Zugliget Chairlift

Discounted Experiences with the Budapest Card:

• 50% discount at St. Stephen’s Hall – Buda Castle
• 25% discount on Legenda city cruises
• 25% discount at Hospital in the Rock – nuclear bunker museum
• 20% discount at City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off
• 20% discount at Széchenyi Bath, Rudas Bath, Aquaworld Resort, Lupa Beach
• 20% discount on door-to-door airport transfer by miniBUD
• 10% discount at Dohany Street Synagogue
• 10-20% discount at Molnár’s Kürtőskalács, Halaszbastya Restaurant, Zsolnay Café, Parisi Passage Cafe, Cafe Astoria, Hard Rock Café

Budapest Card 72 Plus:

Upgrade to the Budapest Card 72 Plus for an even more enhanced experience, which includes additional services like door-to-door airport transfers, a Danube river cruise, a ride on the Buda Castle Funicular, admission to Matthias Church, and a delightful Hungarian dessert (Molnár’s kürtőskalács).

The Budapest Card is your ultimate companion for a memorable and budget-friendly exploration of Budapest. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a food lover, or simply seeking adventure, this card unlocks the city’s best, ensuring a fulfilling visit to Hungary’s vibrant capital.

Budapest Card Price

The Budapest Card is available in multiple varient the 24 hours card cost you 33 € and 48h 49€ and likewise.

Is Budapest Card worth it?

Now Budapest Card is different then Budapest Pass hence this Budapest Card Review would be summarized in two ways. Whether the Budapest Card is worth it depends on your travel plans, the attractions you want to visit, and your preference for convenience and savings. Here are some factors to consider:

When the Budapest Card Might Be Worth It:

1. Multiple Attraction Visits: If you plan to visit several of the included attractions and museums during your stay, the Budapest Card can provide substantial savings. It offers free entry to over 30 attractions, including some of the city’s top museums and galleries.
2. Unlimited Public Transport: The card includes unlimited use of Budapest’s public transportation system, which can be convenient for exploring the city. If you intend to use trams, buses, and the metro frequently, this feature alone can make the card worthwhile.
3. Discounts on Tours and Activities: The card offers discounts on various tours, cruises, and other experiences in Budapest. If you plan to participate in these activities, the discounts can add up, enhancing the value of the card.
4. Convenience: The Budapest Card simplifies your stay by providing a single card for public transportation and access to attractions, eliminating the need to purchase individual tickets.
5. Time Efficiency: With the Budapest Card, you can often skip ticket lines at some attractions, saving you time, especially during peak tourist seasons.

When the Budapest Card Might Not Be Worth It:

1. Limited Sightseeing: If you have limited time or do not plan to visit many of the included attractions, the card may not offer significant value. In such cases, it might be more cost-effective to purchase individual tickets for specific sites you want to see.
2. Short Visit: For very short visits to Budapest (e.g., a day or two), the cost of the card may not be justified, as you might not have enough time to fully utilize its benefits.
3. Specialized Interests: If you have specific interests that aren’t covered by the attractions included in the card, it may not be the best fit for your travel plans.
4. Discount Cards: Consider if you qualify for any other discount cards or passes, such as student or senior discounts, which might offer better value for your needs.

In summary, the Budapest Card can be worth it for travelers who plan to visit multiple attractions, use public transportation frequently, and take advantage of the included discounts on tours and activities. To determine its value for your specific trip, calculate the potential savings based on your itinerary and preferences.

Budapest Card Review

Now in this part I will just pick the 24 hours Budapest Card and will try to check if the cost of this is valid. Honetly I still think not much features can be used from Budapest Card if you are just staying there for one day rather it is good deal when you are spending a week in Budapest.

The 24 Hours Budapest Card cost you around 33 €

Sample One Day Itinerary for Budapest to use Budapest Card

Making the most of your Budapest Card in 24 hours requires a well-planned itinerary. Here’s a suggested one-day itinerary to maximize the benefits of your Budapest Card:

Morning:

1. Start with Breakfast: Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at one of Budapest’s charming cafes or bakeries. Try a traditional Hungarian pastry like a “kürtőskalács” or enjoy a coffee at a local cafe.
2. Visit a Museum: Head to one of the museums included with your Budapest Card. The Hungarian National Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts are excellent choices for exploring Hungary’s rich history and art.

• Cost of a Hungarian Nation Museum Ticket is 9.12 €

Late Morning:

3. Hop-on Hop-off Bus: Use your Budapest Card’s 20% discount for a City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. This allows you to see the city’s major attractions while enjoying informative commentary.

• The actual cost of Big Bus Budapest is 32,40 € so with 20% Discount it would be around 25,92 €

Lunch:

4. Lunch Break: Take a break for lunch at a traditional Hungarian restaurant or café. Try goulash, a local favorite, or explore the diverse culinary scene in Budapest.

Afternoon:

5. Thermal Bath: Head to St. Lukács Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool for a relaxing afternoon. Your Budapest Card grants you free admission to this historic and rejuvenating thermal bath.

• The actual cost of St Lukacs Thermal Bath is 19€ this is an alternative to much Popular Széchenyi Spa which you get the access to in your Budapest Pass.

Late Afternoon:

6. Guided Walking Tour: Join one of the free Pest and Buda guided walking tours included with your card. These tours provide insights into the city’s history and architecture while exploring its neighbourhoods.

• Guided Walking Tour in Buda costs you 12 €
• Guided Walking Tour in Pest costs you 12€

Evening:

7. Dinner: Enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, perhaps trying some more Hungarian dishes or international cuisine.

Night:

8. Discounted Night Activity: Use your Budapest Card’s discounts for a night activity. Consider a cruise on the Danube River with a 25% discount, providing a stunning view of the city’s illuminated landmarks.

• No trip is complete without doing the Cruise in Budapest and you get a 25% discount for the Cruise which would be around 11€ so with the discount it would be 8,25€ per person.

Late Night:

9. Return to Accommodation: Head back to your accommodation, making use of your Budapest Card’s unlimited public transportation.

This itinerary allows you to explore Budapest’s culture, history, and relaxation spots while taking advantage of your Budapest Card’s free admissions and discounts. Keep in mind that Budapest is a city with a vibrant nightlife, so you might also want to explore some of its famous ruin pubs or bars if you have the energy and desire to do so.

Here I will only sum the sure shot free things which you get with the card which you can cover in one day.

Included Attraction	Cost in €	Single Ticket
Free Public Transport	6.50	Check Here
Hungarian Nation Museum Ticket	9.12	Check Here
St Lukacs Thermal Bath	19.00	Check Here
Guided Walking Tour Buda	12.00	Check Here
Guided Walking Tour Pest	12.00	Check Here
Total	58.62

If you plan to just take the 24 hours Budapest Card and cover the Itinerary which I shared above you are going to save around 25.62 € per person with the Budapest Card so Budapest Card is going to save you money for sure and that too a lot of them.

But if you are not planning something of this sort and just want to cover some of the places from the list then a standalone ticket would the be the option for you.

Conclusion

That is all the information about Budapest Pass to help you understand if Budapest Pass is worth your money or not. For me it was and I was happy to buy that. I leave it to you to decide what to do further.

If you are looking for what to do in Budapest then we have covered in detail about that on our Things to do in Budapest guide.

If you are also travelling to Rome then you might wanna read about Rome Pass Review | Rome Tourist Card Review

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