Hungary: Budapest

11 Feb 2017

Took Lux express (7eur) midnight bus to Budapest. Leaving at 2350hr, 6h25m ride.

In bus entertainment with stewardess.

12 Feb 2017

Reached Budapest Nepliget bus station around 6.30am. From there took subway to Kelepati Palyyaudvar train station. Store our luggage (600huf) in the station. Change 20eur of hungary currency for 2 of us for the day expenditure in the station.

I booked the train months in advance to entitled early bird discount.

Pick up our train ticket in the auto machine.

Bought a 24hr transport pass (1650huf) using credit card.

Proceed our first stop to Gellert Szent station. Took some pictures on the award station wall tiles. Then proceed to Gellert hill by bus 27.

Gellert hill

From there took bus 27 back to the bottom of the hill and transfer to tram to the foot of Buda Castle. Took a elevator (200huf) up to the top, much cheaper than funicular @ 1800huf.

Buda Castle

From there walked to Matthias Church and Fisherman Bastion.

Matthias Church

Here again after 4 years, this is my favourite palce in budapest.

Fisherman Bation inspiration for Walt Disney's castle.

This place is incredible during the night.

Took bus 16 to the opposite side, Pest.

Chain Bridge

Gresham Palace

Walk 7mins to Shoes on Danube

Paliament House

Took tram 2 to Vaci Street

This is on the right side of Vaci Street, mainly restuarants and souvenirs shops, nothing interesting. However, on the other side across the road is all the shopping outlets and plenty of restaurants. We did not explore that area due to the limited of time.

From Vaci Street, walk around 15mins to Szimpla Sunday Farmers' market.

This place is pub at night and market during Sunday morning. There is a biger Central Market Hall but closed on Sunday.

Bought a goulash (1000huf) and shared, a donation event, profit will goes to charity.

Walked to the main road and took a bus back to Kelepati Palyaudvar Station Train Station.

We still left around 2000huf and bought a nugget 6pcs and a burger at Macdonald nearby for dinner since we will be taking a 8+hr train to Cluj Napoca.

Left 110huf and use it to buy a pack of tissue. That's all for our day trip including meal for 2 person.

1340hr train to Cluj Napoca. ETA 2229hr, since Romania time zone is GMT +3, so 8hrs ride.

Train ticket 5,890huf (book early for early bird discount)

There is a restaurant in our train. Besides this no socket n other facilities in the train. There is no luggage storage, we just leave it beside us in the seat. The overhead storage is too high for us to bring up.

Around 8pm, I had a broccoli soup (3eur) in the restaurant.

Reached Cluj Napoca @ 2225hr. And walked 5mins to our pensiune. 

Budapest- Night (Day 5)

Reach Budapest at 5pm.

The Danube River split the city to Buda and Pest. Buda is the old town and Pest is the new city. Understand from the the tour guide, the land in Buda is more costly and Singapore Embassy is located in Buda:)

We head to Gellert Hill to take some shots before our dinner.

See the Citadella and the Liberation Monument of Hungary from Nazi forces.

Population of Hungary: 10M

Population in Budapest: 1.2M

Parliament house

Thats the Danube River which cut across Buda and Pest.

Our room at Mercure Buda Hotel

Weather: -9 degree

Tonight is very cold and snowing outside. After checking in our rooms, we quickly unload and went to the castle opposite our hotel. a walk approx. 10mins with more than 100+ stairs.

9pm, we are so happy and relieved after reaching the top.

This place is so beautiful, we are so happy despite the cold weather.

Mathias Church

The church is officially called The Church of Our Lady, and served as a coronation church from the 16th century on. Its vast ecclesiastical collection and treasury is open for visitors. During the centuries, the church underwent several major transformations, the first of which was the addendum of the Mary-gate (Mária-kapu), and in 1470, the 60-metre south side tower, with the King’s raven ensign, was erected.

Fisherman Bastion

In the old times the fishermen were protecting this area, and after them the place received its name. Today this place is known for its beautiful view over the city and the Pest side. It was built, as we see it today, between 1895 and 1902. The seven towers symbolize the tents of the seven tribeleaders that lead the Hungarians into their nation by the end of the 9th century.

Forint- Hungary currency

E1= 260HUF

Budapest is a nice place for party. Unfortunately we stay in Buda and most Clubs and pubs are in Pest. And because of the weather, we get tired and rest early.