Budapest holidays
Hungary’s capital Budapest is a city of two distinct, but equally compelling, halves; Lively Pest and the more relaxed Buda, divided by a beautiful stretch of the mighty Danube River. On either side you can discover majestic churches and stunning art nouveau architecture, atmospheric ruin bars, revitalising thermal baths, eye-opening museums and bustling markets – all neatly wrapped up in one of Europe’s best value destinations.
Our cheapest holidays to Budapest
Soak up some unforgettable views
Budapest is famed for its collection of historic thermal bathhouses. For the best experience head to the intimate, uncrowded example of Veli Bej Bath in Hotel Csaszar for a soothing dip.
Linger over a coffee and chimney cake in New York Cafe, a palatial venue festooned with frescoes, gilded mirrors and stuccoed angels that’s been popular with the Budapest intelligentsia since it opened in 1894.
Down a potent glass of palinka in one of the city’s quirky ruin bars, dilapidated Cold War-era buildings reimagined by hipsters as eccentric drinking dens.
Stock up on foodie treats at the buzzy, neo-Gothic Central Market Hall, with stalls over three floors laden down with fruits, vegetables, dairy products, salamis, pickles, fresh fish, Hungarian paprika, Tokaj wines and more.
Pay a sobering visit to the House of Terror, an excellent museum which documents the horrors of the city’s dark fascist and communist past. Book your flights to Budapest today and start exploring.
Carefully selected Budapest hotels
Best hotels in Budapest for all types of traveller
We have a great selection of quality hotels in Budapest to recommend. Aria Hotel Budapest is a luxurious boutique hotel near St Stephen’s Basilica. Its special music-themed rooms feature comfy sofas and velvet chaise longues and curtains, while most have balconies overlooking the attractive Music Garden Courtyard. Or choose to stay in a 19th Century Palace – Mystery Hotel Budapest offers three distinct styles of guest rooms. The cosy and contemporary D8 Hotel is just steps away from the Chain Bridge. Enjoy a drink and a bite in the spacious lobby which also dispenses free tea and coffee in the mornings. Bo18 Hotel*** Superior near the Corvin shopping mall and promenade offers a lavish Champagne buffet breakfast, a wellness corner with Jacuzzi, infrared and Finnish saunas, and a bar with a 24-hour wine menu.
Budapest holiday FAQs
- Buda Castle, also known as the Royal Palace, dominates the city skyline from its vantage point high at the top of Varhegy (Castle Hill). The castle’s origins date back to the 14th Century, though the majestic Baroque building you see today was built during the early 18th Century. Today it houses several important cultural institutions including the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Library and the Budapest History Museum. Reach it via a charming funicular railway and don’t miss the imposing neoclassical tunnel beneath the castle which connects it with the Chain Bridge and is considered the official gateway to the city.
- The Fisherman’s Bastion sits high on Castle Hill offering fine panoramic views of the Danube and Pest. Built between 1895 and 1902 in neo-Gothic and neo-Romantic styles it features seven decorative towers which represent the seven tribes which conquered Hungary. Behind the bastion sits an equestrian statue of St Stephen, Hungary’s first king, which is one of the city’s most visited monuments. The steps leading up to the bastion are decorated with copies of ancient statues which make it especially photogenic.
- A Danube River cruise is a must for any first-time visitor to Budapest. Whether you fancy a romantic four-course dinner cruise, a lunchtime cruise with a glass of wine or a trip on a party boat, the city is best seen from the water. You’ll glide past iconic landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament building, which is illuminated at night, Buda Castle and the recently restored Varkert Bazar. Head to the boat’s open deck to take in views and snap pictures of the Vigado Concert Hall and the floodlit monuments between the Margaret and Rakoczi bridges.
- The Hungarian Parliament building is one of the city’s most impressive sights. This magnificent building, constructed over 17 years in the late 19th Century, has a Baroque floorplan, a Gothic facade and a Renaissance ceiling, while architect Imre Steindl drew inspiration from Britain’s own Houses of Parliament for its design. The building is especially lavish with around 40 million bricks and 30,000 cubic metres of carved stones used for its construction, around three kilometres of red carpet and 40 kilograms of 22-23 carat gold. An underground visitor’s centre has a permanent exhibition and an excellent bookshop.
- Named after Hungary’s first king, St Stephen’s Basilica is Hungary’s third largest church. The 96-metre-tall neoclassical church is one of Budapest’s tallest structures with its twin belltowers, one of which holds Hungary’s largest bell. The building was completed in 1905 and stands on the site of a former theatre which once hosted animal fights. Catch a concert here or take a guided tour to see the church’s collection of treasures, including a relic of St Stephen’s right hand, and get access to the dome with its panoramic city views.
- The 13th Century Matthias Church on Castle Hill was used as a mosque during Turkish rule before being converted during the late 19th Century when it received its current neo-Gothic makeover. Look out for a pair of majestic gates and an intricate set of carvings at its southern entrance. Inside you’ll find three aisles decorated with lavish frescoes and the Matthias Church Collection of Ecclesiastical Art, which includes ornate monstrances, reliquaries and chalices, plus replicas of the Crown of St Stephen and the coronation throne.
- The Hungarian State Opera House is a stunning neo-Renaissance building designed by Miklos Ybl in 1884. The facade is dotted with statues of Puccini, Mozart, Liszt and Verdi, while its interior dazzles with marble columns, gilded vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and fantastic acoustics. There’s also a statue of Ferenc Erkel who penned Hungary’s national anthem, while the royal box, foyer and numerous artworks make this a special place to watch a concert. Hour-long tours of the opera house are run daily.
- If you’re looking for a way to navigate the steep Buda hills with a difference, try a trip on the Zugliget Chairlift. It covers more than one-kilometre journey up the city’s highest peak Janos-hegy in just 12 minutes, rising 262 metres in the process. At the top sits the Erzsebet lookout tower from which you can experience an unparalleled view of the city, including the Parliament building, and the surrounding hills.
- Budapest’s ‘Inner City’ is full of historic buildings and great shopping. Belvaros, or District V, lies along the east bank of the Danube in Pest and follows the old city walls. See the famous Viennese-style cafes on Vaci Utca, and take the walk from the glorious St Stephen’s Basilica to Heroes Square, via the Oktagon. At the weekend, head to Erzsebet ter (Elizabeth’s Square) to people watch, or drink and chat with the locals who show up in force.
- Erzsebetvaros or Elizabeth Town, is famous for the Jewish Quarter. The Great Synagogue here is the largest functioning temple in Europe and sits amid narrow streets full of cafes and bars. The area has emerged from its dark past as a hip place to be, with design shops, restored buildings and cool ruin bars including the huge Szimpla Kert.
- Leopold Town sits in the northern part of District V, and is an attractive area where remarkable 18th and 19th Century buildings exist alongside contemporary structures. Seen as the power centre of Budapest, government buildings, banks and embassies dominate the skyline, including the Hungarian Parliament which sits on the beautiful Kossuth Square.
- Theresa Town, or Terezvaros, is home to the beautiful Andrassy Avenue. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this wonderfully elegant boulevard has a classic fin de siecle style. Think neo-Renaissance mansions, sophisticated cafes and luxury boutiques. The Avenue rolls down through the theatre district toward Heroes’ Square and the City Park. A cultural centre, it is considered the ‘fancy part of town’. Also, in City Park you will find a brilliant spa – the first in Pest, dating back to 1881 .
- The Castle District is the historic area of Buda, housing the magnificent Royal Palace and many other grand buildings. The Castle District may be small but it makes up for it with the number of sights. Alongside the Royal Palace, there is the Matthias Church, the Gothic Fisherman’s Bastion and Castle Hill – another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The steep, meandering streets of Castle Hill have a medieval atmosphere, offering spectacular views of the Danube, Margaret Island (a great place for kids) and Pest.
- Take the bus or train to attractions outside the city centre. Memento Park houses the old Communist-era statues of Lenin, Marx and Bela Kun, leader of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, among many other socialist statues destined for the scrapheap. A perfect trip for kids is the Children’s Railway. The conductors, ticket office staff and porters are all aged between 10-14 years old. This is one of quaintest attractions in Budapest, and well worth the journey.
Why choose British Airways Vacations?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We offer carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
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- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
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- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in USD per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
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- Combine and save on Vacations: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ vacation including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.
1. Vacation Sale offers can be booked online at ba.com or through the British Airways call centre from January 6, 2026 and January 22, 2026 at 23:59 EST.
2. Vacation sale offers are valid on travel between January 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026. All travel must be completed by September 30, 2026. For travel from all British Airways operating airports in the US.
3. To qualify for the up to $400 discount per booking offer certain booking requirements must be met.
4. The savings are $50, $100, $200 or $400 and apply to new Vacation Package bookings only where a minimum spend is met:
a. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $8,000 per booking can save $400 per booking.
b. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $5,000 per booking can save $200 per booking.
c. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $3,000 per booking can save $100 per booking.
d. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $1,500 per booking can save $50 per booking.
5. The savings are per booking.
6. A Vacation Package booking means any booking including round trip flights and either a hotel, car or combination of both for the duration of the travel period. Hotels/cars added to flights only after a flight has been selected or booked will not be eligible. To be eligible for savings, we invite you to choose ‘Flight + hotel’ or ‘Flight + car’ when commencing a search. Quotes in our ‘Create your trip’ booking tool will not include this offer and are discounted in a different way.
7. Flight + car Vacation Package savings are applied before any Extras (insurance waiver, car seats etc.) are added to the booking.
8. Prices advertised on ba.com include the additional discount where applicable.
9. Vacation sale lead-in prices include all airline-related taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
10. Economy flight and hotel package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 5 nights for double occupancy accommodation.
11. Economy flight and car rental package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 7 days Avis or Budget car rental in a ‘Group A Economy Manual’ car. Prices are based on drivers aged 30-70 years. (Automatic car rental available at higher prices).
12. Car rental prices do not include fees charged locally such as airport charges, additional driver, insurance, navigation aids and similar options.
13. All prices are liable to change at any time and are subject to flight, hotel and car rental availability. Availability is strictly limited.
14. Offers are valid for new bookings only, made during the promotional period. Valid only when combined with British operated flights or BA code share flights departing from a US gateway.
15. Prices are based on travel during dates and board basis stated.
16. Limited availability of flights at these prices. Individual travel dates are subject to availability. Promotional travel is subject to availability and capacity control, and availability may be limited over holidays and peak periods. The number of seats available on each flight at a particular fare may be restricted and it is possible that seats allocated to a particular fare on a particular flight may be fully booked even though seats are still available for sale at a different fare or booking class in the same cabin.
17. Deposits can only be paid for bookings created as flight + hotel or flight + car packages. All flight only, hotel, car and experience only bookings, and any hotel, car or experiences added to a flight only booking are excluded from this offer. The following deposit levels apply based on the total spend per booking:
I. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $1000-$1999 - pay from $198 deposit per booking
II. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2000-$2499 - pay from $250 deposit per booking
III. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2500-$2999 - pay from $300 deposit per booking
18. The deposit balance will be due 28 days prior to your departure date. The actual payment date will be displayed on the payment details page. You can pay the balance in as many instalments as you want. This allows you to spread the cost of the vacation over a longer period. You will have full flexibility of when you make the payments and how much they are, the only requirement is that you must have paid the full balance by the balance due date.
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20. All travel on BA operated flights is subject to BA's General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage (see ba.com http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/british-airways/general-conditions-of-carriage) and the notice and conditions of contract contained on each ticket and itinerary. Passengers carried by code share services are subject to the ticketing carrier's conditions of carriage.
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22. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a hotel purchase apply.
23. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a car purchase apply.
24. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
25. This offer may be withdrawn or limited by British Airways without notice.
26. Other significant restrictions may apply.
We reserve the right to cancel any bookings that violate any of these terms and conditions.