After all my flights got delayed I’m finally here lol probably won’t get back to where I’m staying until like 1:30 am 🥲

Hey all. Despite my misleading name I am actually magyar ethnic (from Transylvania), living in Hungary since 2008. In case it’s first time in Budapest or been long ago, you may find this useful: • You don’t need cash most of the time. I don’t even know how cash looks like anymore lol. Paying with card aka phone is the norm. Of course if you want to go to traditional market or something like that then you’ll need cash. • It’s hot in August. Allegedly 29 degrees celsius on that day but you never know when a sweet Saharan wind gets to us. Carry water. There are some public fountains but if you’re not keen on getting diseases I would avoid. •Airport has a taxi company they contracted with “Főtaxi”. When you exit either terminal their kiosk will be right there, can’t miss it. Taxi in Budapest is centrally administered despite the companies are private => the prices across all companies are the same for all elements of the journey. • If you prefer Bolt/Uber you can get that too but they will stop at second line parallel to arrival terminal because first one is reserved for above. • Payment by card in taxi is a must so if they ask for cash they are lying. •Pro tip, to make sure you’re not taken advantage of by going via longest route, you can look up prior on maps and suggest that. Also don’t say it’s your first time. Most are honourable but you never know. •Public transportation. It’s safe, reliable and relatively cheap especially with Western countries’ eyes. You can get that at airport too, but that bus needs a special kind of ticket, beware. Inside the city would definitely recommend public transportation. Download the Budapest GO app, you can buy all tickets and passes there. One-time & temporary passes need to be always validated when boarding. There are controllers on the busy routes all the time and they check that. • Visit Buda side. Not only the castle. I’m a total snob yes, only go to Pest if it’s a must, otherwise avoid it like plague lol. Try it and you’ll see why.

What do you guys think about spending a few hours on Saturday Exploring the city together as a group? :)