Skill: ivangdavila/budapest (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Budapest slug: budapest version: 1.0.0 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/budapest description: Navigate Budapest as visitor, expat, digital nomad, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, visas, and local insights. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🏛️","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## When to Use User asks about Budapest for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data. ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Visitors** | | | Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` | | Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` | | Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` | | Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` | | **Neighborhoods** | | | Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` | | District V, VI, VII (center) | `neighborhoods-center.md` | | Buda side (I, II, XI, XII) | `neighborhoods-buda.md` | | Pest residential (XIII, XIV) | `neighborhoods-pest.md` | | Outer districts | `neighborhoods-outer.md` | | Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` | | **Food** | | | Overview & dining scene | `food-overview.md` | | Hungarian cuisine | `food-hungarian.md` | | International & fine dining | `food-international.md` | | Best areas for dining | `food-areas.md` | | Wine, ruin bars, nightlife | `food-nightlife.md` | | **Practical** | | | Moving & settling | `resident.md` | | Transport (metro, tram, BKK) | `transport.md` | | Cost of living | `cost.md` | | Safety & laws | `safety.md` | | Weather & seasons | `climate.md` | | Local services (banking, SIM) | `local.md` | | **Career** | | | Tech industry & salaries | `tech.md` | | Business setup | `business.md` | | Visas (work, digital nomad, EU) | `visas.md` | | Startups & funding | `startup.md` | | **Lifestyle** | | | Culture & customs | `culture.md` | | Healthcare & insurance | `healthcare.md` | | Schools & education | `education.md` | | Expat lifestyle & social | `lifestyle.md` | | Thermal baths & wellness | `thermal.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Identify User Context First - **Role**: Tourist, expat, digital nomad, student, entrepreneur - **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there - **EU status**: EU citizen (free movement) vs non-EU (visa required) - Load relevant auxiliary file for details ### 2. Buda vs Pest Budapest is two cities merged across the Danube: - **Buda** (west): Hilly, residential, quieter, Castle District, wealthier - **Pest** (east): Flat, vibrant, most attractions, nightlife, business - **District numbering**: I-XXIII, with lower numbers generally more central See `neighborhoods-index.md` for detailed comparison. ### 3. EU Context Hungary is in the EU but NOT Schengen-adjacent in some ways: - **EU citizens**: Free to live and work indefinitely - **Non-EU**: Need visa/residence permit for stays >90 days - **Digital nomad visa**: Available since 2022 (White Card) - **Currency**: Hungarian Forint (HUF), NOT Euro See `visas.md` for current requirements and processes. ### 4. Weather Reality Continental climate with four distinct seasons: - **Summer (Jun-Aug)**: 25-35°C, can be hot and humid - **Winter (Dec-Feb)**: -5 to 5°C, can drop to -15°C, occasional snow - **Spring/Autumn**: Most pleasant, 15-25°C - **Thermal baths**: Year-round activity, especially magical in winter See `climate.md` for monthly breakdown. ### 5. Current Data (Feb 2026) | Item | Range | |------|-------| | 1BR rent (center) | HUF 200,000-350,000/month (~€500-900) | | 1BR rent (outer) | HUF 120,000-200,000/month (~€300-500) | | Senior SWE salary | HUF 1,200,000-2,000,000/month (~€3,000-5,000) | | Monthly transit pass | HUF 9,500 (~€24) | | Dinner for two (mid-range) | HUF 15,000-25,000 (~€38-65) | | International school fees | HUF 2,500,000-8,000,000/year (~€6,300-20,000) | ### 6. Cost Reality Budapest is one of Europe's best value capitals: - **Housing**: 25-35% of budget for expats, much less than Western Europe - **Food**: Excellent quality at low prices, especially local cuisine - **Healthcare**: Public healthcare available, private affordable - **Transport**: Cheap and excellent (metro, tram, bus network) - **Hidden costs**: Utility bills can be high in winter (heating) ### 7. Transit Excellence Unlike car-centric cities, Budapest has superb public transit: - **Metro**: 4 lines, M1 is UNESCO heritage (oldest in continental Europe) - **Trams**: Extensive network, including scenic Danube routes (2, 4, 6) - **Buses/trolleys**: Cover areas metro doesn't reach - **BKK app**: Essential for planning and mobile tickets - **Night buses**: Run until metro starts (~4:30am) Most residents don't need cars. See `transport.md`. ### 8. Neighborhood Matching | Profile | Best Areas | |---------|------------| | Young professionals | District VII, VI, V | | Families | District II, XI, XII (Buda hills) | | Budget-conscious | District VIII, XIII, XIV | | Nightlife lovers | District VII (Jewish Quarter) | | Tech workers | District XIII (near offices), V, VI | | Quiet/nature | District II, XII (Buda hills) | | Students | District VIII, IX (near universities) | ## Budapest-Specific Traps - **Forint confusion** — Large numbers (lunch = 4,000 HUF). Roughly divide by 400 for EUR. - **Ruin bar tourist traps** — Some charge 5x normal prices. Check prices before ordering. - **Taxi scams** — Only use Bolt or official Főtaxi. Never hail from street. - **Thermal bath pickpockets** — Use lockers, don't bring valuables. - **Apartment scams** — Never pay before viewing. Use established platforms. - **Summer heat in old buildings** — Many lack AC. Check before renting. - **Winter utility costs** — Old buildings with poor insulation = high heating bills. - **Hungarian language** — Extremely difficult. English widely spoken in center, less outside. - **Cash still common** — Smaller shops, markets may be cash-only. - **Sunday closures** — Most shops closed Sundays (except malls, some restaurants). ## Cultural Awareness Key cultural points for visitors/residents: - **Hospitality**: Hungarians may seem reserved initially but are warm once you connect - **Punctuality**: Expected in business settings - **Tipping**: 10-15% standard in restaurants - **Toasting**: Look in eyes when clinking glasses (wine/pálinka) - **Shoes off**: Often expected when entering homes - **Name order**: Hungarian names are surname-first (like Asian countries) - **National holidays**: March 15, August 20, October 23 — many closures See `culture.md` for comprehensive guidance. ## Thermal Bath Culture Budapest is the "City of Spas" with 120+ thermal springs: - **Széchenyi**: Largest in Europe, year-round outdoor pools, tourist-friendly - **Gellért**: Art Nouveau masterpiece, more elegant atmosphere - **Rudas**: Ottoman-era, rooftop pool with city views - **Király**: Small, authentic Ottoman bath - **Palatinus**: Outdoor complex on Margaret Island (summer) Etiquette: Bring flip-flops, towel (or rent), swimming cap required in some pools. See `thermal.md` for complete guide. ## Ruin Bar Scene Budapest's unique contribution to nightlife culture: - **Szimpla Kert**: The original, now touristy but iconic - **Instant-Fogas**: Huge complex, multiple floors/vibes - **Mazel Tov**: Restaurant-bar hybrid, Middle Eastern food - **Ellátó Kert**: More local, less tourist - **Anker't**: Upscale ruin bar with quality food Located mainly in District VII (Jewish Quarter). See `food-nightlife.md`. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `dubai` — Compare Budapest vs Dubai for cost, lifestyle, visas, and opportunities - `travel` — General travel planning, itineraries, and trip organization - `food` — Deep dive into cuisines, cooking techniques, and dining recommendations - `money` — Personal finance, budgeting, and cost tracking for expat life ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star budapest` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`

path: business.md
content: # Business in Budapest

## Overview

Hungary offers:
- EU membership (market access)
- Competitive tax rates
- Educated workforce
- Central European location
- Lower costs than Western Europe

## Business Structures

### Company Types

**Kft (Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság)**
- Limited Liability Company
- Most common for small/medium
- Min capital: HUF 3,000,000 (~€7,500)
- 1+ shareholders

**Zrt (Zártkörűen Működő Részvénytársaság)**
- Private Limited Company
- For larger businesses
- Min capital: HUF 5,000,000 (~€12,500)
- More complex structure

**Bt (Betéti Társaság)**
- Limited Partnership
- Less common
- Simpler but more liability risk

**Egyéni Vállalkozó**
- Sole Proprietor
- Simplest
- Full personal liability
- Good for freelancers

### Choosing Structure

**Freelancer/Small**: Kft or Egyéni Vállalkozó
**Growing company**: Kft
**Investment/scaling**: Zrt consideration

## Company Formation

### Kft Setup

**Timeline**: 1-2 weeks with lawyer
**Cost**: €1,000-2,000 (legal fees)

**Requirements**:
- Founder(s) (any nationality)
- Registered address
- Bank account for capital
- Company name (unique)
- Articles of association

**Process**:
1. Choose name (check availability)
2. Draft articles of association
3. Open bank account, deposit capital
4. Submit to Company Registry
5. Register for tax (NAV)
6. Obtain activity licenses if needed

### Required Roles

**Managing Director (Ügyvezető)**
- Legal representative
- Can be foreign, non-resident
- Must have Hungarian tax number

**Accountant**
- Required by law
- Monthly reporting
- Tax filings

### Registered Address

- Physical address in Hungary
- Can be virtual office
- Many providers available
- ~€50-150/month

## Taxation

### Corporate Taxes

| Tax | Rate |
|-----|------|
| Corporate Income Tax | 9% (lowest in EU) |
| Local Business Tax | ~2% (varies by municipality) |
| Social Contribution Tax | 13% (employer) |

**Effective rate**: ~11-15% overall

### Personal Taxes (for employees)

| Tax | Rate |
|-----|------|
| Personal Income Tax | 15% (flat) |
| Social Security | 18.5% (employee) |

### VAT

- Standard: 27% (highest in EU)
- Reduced: 18%, 5% (some goods)
- B2B services: Often reverse charge
- Threshold for registration: Low

### Tax Incentives

- R&D tax credit
- Development tax allowance
- Various sector incentives
- KIVA (small business simplified)

## Accounting & Compliance

### Requirements

**Monthly**:
- VAT returns (if applicable)
- Social contribution filings
- Payroll processing

**Annual**:
- Financial statements
- Corporate tax return
- Local business tax return

### Bookkeeping

**Options**:
- In-house accountant
- Accounting firm
- Online services (emerging)

**Costs**: €200-500/month (small company)

### Invoicing

**Must include**:
- Sequential number
- Both party details
- Tax numbers
- Item descriptions
- VAT breakdown
- Date

**Digital**: Electronic invoicing system (NAV Online)

## Banking

### Business Accounts

**Major banks**:
- OTP
- Erste
- K&H
- Raiffeisen
- CIB

**Process**:
- Visit branch with documents
- Company registration papers
- ID of signatories
- 1-2 weeks to open

**Digital alternatives**:
- Wise Business (popular for international)
- Revolut Business

## Employment

### Hiring

**Contract requirements**:
- Written contract mandatory
- Probation max 3 months
- Notice periods defined by law
- Annual leave 20+ days

**Costs beyond salary**:
- Employer social tax: 13%
- Various contributions
- Budget 1.25x gross salary

### Contractors vs Employees

**Be careful**: Hungary has strict rules
- Continuous relationship = employee
- Risk of reclassification
- Use properly if legitimate

### Payroll

**Options**:
- In-house
- Accountant handles
- Payroll services

**Frequency**: Monthly standard

## For Freelancers

### Sole Proprietor (Egyéni Vállalkozó)

**Pros**:
- Simple setup
- Lower admin
- KATA option (was attractive, now limited)

**Cons**:
- Personal liability
- KATA heavily restricted post-2022
- Now less attractive than before

### KATA (Simplified Tax)

**Post-2022 changes**: Mostly limited to:
- Certain retail/service
- Income from individuals only
- Not viable for most tech freelancers

### Alternative: One-Person Kft

**Pros**:
- Limited liability
- Professional image
- Tax planning options

**Cons**:
- Higher admin costs
- Accounting required
- Capital requirement

## For Digital Nomads

### Legal Options

**Digital Nomad Visa (White Card)**:
- Work for foreign company
- Don't serve Hungarian clients
- 1-2 years validity
- Simplest legal option

**Establish Company**:
- If serving Hungarian clients
- If wanting EU presence
- More complex but full rights

### Tax Residency

**183-day rule**: 
- 183+ days = tax resident
- Hungarian tax on worldwide income
- Proper planning important

**Consult accountant** before establishing

## Business Culture

### Characteristics

- More formal than US/UK
- Relationships matter
- Punctuality expected
- Written communication formal
- Hierarchy respected

### Meetings

- Start with pleasantries
- Business cards exchanged
- Decisions may take time
- Follow up in writing

### Language

- Hungarian for local business
- English widely used in international
- German helpful for some sectors

## Government Relations

### Bureaucracy

- Can be slow
- Hungarian documents
- Patience required
- Professional help valuable

### Incentives

- Investment incentives exist
- Sector-specific programs
- Regional development funds
- EU co-financed programs

## Common Challenges

### Administration

- Language barrier
- Multiple agencies
- Paper-heavy processes
- Solution: Good accountant + lawyer

### Banking

- Conservative banks
- Due diligence thorough
- International transfers can be slow

### Hiring

- Talent competition
- Rising salary expectations
- Notice periods long

## Resources

### Government

- Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency
- Chamber of Commerce
- Enterprise Europe Network

### Professional

- International law firms
- Big 4 accounting
- Local specialists

### Community

- AmCham Hungary
- German-Hungarian Chamber
- Various bilateral chambers
- Startup communities


path: climate.md
content: # Budapest Climate & Weather

## Climate Type

**Continental climate** with four distinct seasons. Significant temperature variation between summer and winter.

## Seasonal Overview

### Spring (March - May)

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days |
|-------|----------|---------|-----------|
| March | 11°C | 2°C | 7 |
| April | 17°C | 7°C | 8 |
| May | 22°C | 11°C | 9 |

**Character**:
- Unpredictable — can swing between cold and warm
- April: Famous for changeable weather
- May: Generally pleasant, can be rainy
- Blooming trees, outdoor life returns

**Pack**: Layers, light jacket, umbrella, some warmer options for cold snaps

### Summer (June - August)

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days |
|-------|----------|---------|-----------|
| June | 26°C | 15°C | 9 |
| July | 28°C | 17°C | 8 |
| August | 28°C | 16°C | 7 |

**Character**:
- Hot, can reach 35°C+ during heat waves
- Humid at times
- Thunderstorms possible (dramatic but brief)
- Peak tourist season
- Locals leave in August

**Pack**: Light clothes, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, something for AC (can be cold indoors)

**Warning**: Heat can be intense. Old buildings often lack AC.

### Autumn (September - November)

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days |
|-------|----------|---------|-----------|
| September | 22°C | 12°C | 6 |
| October | 15°C | 7°C | 6 |
| November | 8°C | 2°C | 8 |

**Character**:
- September: Often beautiful, warm
- October: Colorful foliage, cooling
- November: Gray, damp, winter approaching
- Best wine season

**Pack**: Layers, jacket, umbrella, warmer options for late autumn

### Winter (December - February)

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days |
|-------|----------|---------|-----------|
| December | 3°C | -2°C | 8 |
| January | 2°C | -3°C | 7 |
| February | 4°C | -2°C | 7 |

**Character**:
- Cold but not extreme (usually)
- Can drop to -10°C or colder occasionally
- Snow possible but not guaranteed
- Gray and short days
- Christmas markets magical

**Pack**: Winter coat, layers, warm accessories (hat, gloves, scarf), boots

## Monthly Details

### January
- Coldest month
- Average: -3°C to 2°C
- Can drop to -15°C
- Snow possible
- Shortest days
- Thermal baths essential

### February
- Still cold, slight warming
- Average: -2°C to 4°C
- Snow possible
- Days getting longer
- Late winter storms possible

### March
- Transition month
- Average: 2°C to 11°C
- Can have warm days or snow
- Unpredictable
- Spring beginning

### April
- Classic spring
- Average: 7°C to 17°C
- Very changeable
- Rain showers common
- Cherry blossoms

### May
- Pleasant, warming
- Average: 11°C to 22°C
- Can be rainy
- Outdoor season begins
- Green everywhere

### June
- Summer begins
- Average: 15°C to 26°C
- Warm to hot
- Long days
- Thunderstorms possible

### July
- Peak summer
- Average: 17°C to 28°C
- Often hottest month
- Heat waves possible (35°C+)
- High humidity possible

### August
- Hot, locals leave
- Average: 16°C to 28°C
- Continued heat
- Sziget Festival
- City quieter (locals on holiday)

### September
- Beautiful transition
- Average: 12°C to 22°C
- Often best month
- Warm days, cool nights
- Wine season

### October
- Autumn colors
- Average: 7°C to 15°C
- Cooling rapidly
- Can still have warm days
- Cozy season begins

### November
- Gray, damp
- Average: 2°C to 8°C
- Winter approaching
- Fog common
- Heating season

### December
- Winter, Christmas
- Average: -2°C to 3°C
- Christmas markets
- Can be cold or mild
- Snow possible

## Best Times to Visit

### For Weather

**Best**: May-June, September
- Pleasant temperatures
- Outdoor activities possible
- Shoulder season (September)

**Good**: April, October
- Variable but manageable
- Fewer tourists
- Interesting seasonal character

**Acceptable**: July-August
- Hot but functional
- Peak tourist season
- Thermal baths refreshing

**Challenging**: November-March
- Cold, gray, short days
- But: Christmas magic (December)
- But: Thermal baths perfect
- Budget-friendly

### For Activities

| Activity | Best Months |
|----------|-------------|
| Walking/sightseeing | Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct |
| Thermal baths | Nov-Mar (magical), year-round |
| Rooftop bars | May-Sep |
| Wine tasting | Sep-Oct (harvest) |
| Christmas markets | Dec |
| Day trips | May-Jun, Sep |
| Budget travel | Jan-Feb, Nov |
| Ruin bars | Year-round (indoor/outdoor) |

## Weather Tips

### Summer Heat

**Coping strategies**:
- Morning sightseeing (before 11am)
- Afternoon museums or thermal baths
- Evening activities
- Stay hydrated (carry water)
- Seek AC (malls, museums)
- Avoid peak sun (12-3pm)

**Building warning**: Many apartments lack AC. Fans help. Check before renting.

### Winter Cold

**Coping strategies**:
- Layer properly (thermal base, insulating mid, windproof outer)
- Warm accessories crucial
- Indoor activities (museums, thermal baths, cafés)
- Thermal baths: Outdoor pools in cold = magical
- Expect heating costs (old buildings expensive)

**Ice warning**: Sidewalks can be slippery. Good boots essential.

### Rain & Storms

- Always possible
- Summer storms: Dramatic but brief
- Autumn/spring: More persistent drizzle
- Always have umbrella
- Indoor alternatives plentiful

## Packing Guide

### Summer (Jun-Aug)
- Light clothes
- Breathable fabrics
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Light cardigan (AC, evenings)
- Umbrella (storms)
- Comfortable walking shoes

### Spring/Autumn (Apr-May, Sep-Oct)
- Layers key
- Light jacket
- Sweaters
- Mix of short/long sleeves
- Umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light scarf

### Winter (Nov-Mar)
- Winter coat
- Thermal underlayers
- Warm sweaters
- Hat, gloves, scarf
- Waterproof boots
- Warm socks
- Umbrella/rain jacket

### Year-Round
- Swimsuit (thermal baths)
- Flip-flops (baths)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Dressier option (restaurants)
- Phone charger
- Power adapter (EU)

## Climate Data Summary

| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain (mm) | Sun (hrs) |
|-------|----------|---------|-----------|-----------|
| Jan | 2°C | -3°C | 40 | 2 |
| Feb | 4°C | -2°C | 40 | 3 |
| Mar | 11°C | 2°C | 35 | 5 |
| Apr | 17°C | 7°C | 45 | 6 |
| May | 22°C | 11°C | 60 | 8 |
| Jun | 26°C | 15°C | 65 | 9 |
| Jul | 28°C | 17°C | 55 | 9 |
| Aug | 28°C | 16°C | 50 | 9 |
| Sep | 22°C | 12°C | 40 | 7 |
| Oct | 15°C | 7°C | 40 | 5 |
| Nov | 8°C | 2°C | 55 | 2 |
| Dec | 3°C | -2°C | 50 | 2 |

## Daylight Hours

| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length |
|-------|---------|--------|------------|
| Dec 21 | 7:30 | 16:00 | 8.5h |
| Mar 21 | 5:55 | 18:10 | 12h |
| Jun 21 | 4:45 | 20:45 | 16h |
| Sep 21 | 6:30 | 18:40 | 12h |

Summer = very long days (great for sightseeing)
Winter = very short days (plan accordingly)


path: cost.md
content: # Budapest Cost of Living

## Overview

Budapest offers exceptional value for Europe. Expect costs 40-60% lower than Western capitals while maintaining high quality of life.

**Currency**: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
**Exchange**: ~400 HUF = €1 (fluctuates)

## Monthly Budget Overview

### Single Professional

| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|----------|--------|-----------|-------------|
| Rent (1BR) | €400-500 | €550-750 | €800-1,200 |
| Utilities | €80-120 | €100-150 | €120-200 |
| Food | €200-250 | €300-400 | €450-600 |
| Transport | €24 | €30-50 | €50-100 |
| Entertainment | €100-150 | €200-300 | €400+ |
| **Total** | **€800-1,050** | **€1,200-1,650** | **€1,800-3,100** |

### Couple

| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|----------|--------|-----------|-------------|
| Rent (2BR) | €550-700 | €750-1,000 | €1,000-1,500 |
| Utilities | €100-150 | €130-200 | €180-280 |
| Food | €350-450 | €500-700 | €700-1,000 |
| Transport | €48 | €60-100 | €100-150 |
| Entertainment | €200-300 | €350-500 | €600+ |
| **Total** | **€1,250-1,650** | **€1,800-2,500** | **€2,600-3,900** |

### Family (2 adults, 2 children)

| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|----------|--------|-----------|-------------|
| Rent (3BR) | €800-1,000 | €1,100-1,500 | €1,500-2,500 |
| Utilities | €150-200 | €180-280 | €250-400 |
| Food | €500-650 | €700-900 | €1,000-1,400 |
| Transport | €50-80 | €100-150 | €200+ |
| School fees | €0-500 | €500-1,000 | €1,500-2,500 |
| Entertainment | €200-300 | €400-600 | €800+ |
| **Total** | **€1,700-2,700** | **€3,000-4,400** | **€5,200-9,300** |

## Housing Costs

### Rent by Area (1BR, monthly)

| District | Budget | Average | Premium |
|----------|--------|---------|---------|
| V (Center) | €600 | €850 | €1,200+ |
| VI | €500 | €700 | €900 |
| VII | €450 | €650 | €850 |
| VIII | €350 | €500 | €700 |
| IX | €400 | €600 | €800 |
| XIII | €500 | €700 | €900 |
| II (Buda) | €550 | €750 | €1,000+ |
| XI | €450 | €600 | €800 |
| XII | €600 | €850 | €1,200+ |
| Outer | €250 | €400 | €550 |

### Additional Housing Costs

| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|------|--------------|-------|
| Deposit | 2 months rent | Standard |
| Agency fee | 1 month rent | If using agent |
| Utilities deposit | €100-200 | Sometimes |
| Közös költség | €50-100/mo | Building common costs |

### Utilities (Monthly)

| Utility | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR |
|---------|-----|-----|-----|
| Electricity | €30-60 | €50-80 | €70-120 |
| Gas (heating) | €40-100 | €60-150 | €100-250 |
| Water | €15-25 | €25-40 | €35-60 |
| Internet | €15-30 | €15-30 | €15-30 |
| **Winter total** | €120-200 | €170-300 | €250-450 |
| **Summer total** | €60-100 | €80-140 | €120-200 |

**Warning**: Winter heating can triple utility bills in old buildings.

## Food Costs

### Grocery Shopping (Weekly)

| Style | Single | Couple |
|-------|--------|--------|
| Budget (Lidl, Aldi) | €30-40 | €50-70 |
| Mixed | €50-70 | €80-100 |
| Premium (organic, specialty) | €80-120 | €130-180 |

### Supermarket Prices

| Item | Price (HUF) | Price (EUR) |
|------|-------------|-------------|
| Milk (1L) | 350-500 | €0.90-1.25 |
| Bread (loaf) | 400-800 | €1-2 |
| Eggs (10) | 800-1,200 | €2-3 |
| Chicken breast (kg) | 2,000-3,000 | €5-7.50 |
| Rice (1kg) | 500-800 | €1.25-2 |
| Pasta (500g) | 300-600 | €0.75-1.50 |
| Cheese (200g) | 600-1,200 | €1.50-3 |
| Wine (bottle) | 1,000-3,000 | €2.50-7.50 |
| Beer (0.5L) | 300-600 | €0.75-1.50 |
| Coffee (250g) | 1,000-2,000 | €2.50-5 |

### Dining Out

| Type | Cost (EUR) | Examples |
|------|------------|----------|
| Canteen lunch | €3-5 | Kifőzde, workers' lunch |
| Fast food meal | €5-8 | Burger chains |
| Casual restaurant | €8-15 | Local vendéglő |
| Mid-range dinner | €15-30 | Nice restaurant |
| Fine dining | €50-100+ | Michelin options |
| Coffee | €2-4 | Café |
| Beer (bar) | €2-5 | Varies by venue |
| Cocktail | €6-12 | Cocktail bars |

### Daily Lunch Options

| Option | Typical Cost |
|--------|--------------|
| Home packed | €2-3 |
| Canteen/kifőzde | €3-5 |
| Casual sit-down | €6-10 |
| Fast casual | €5-8 |

## Transport Costs

### Public Transit

| Pass Type | Price (HUF) | Price (EUR) |
|-----------|-------------|-------------|
| Single ticket | 450 | €1.15 |
| 24-hour | 2,500 | €6.25 |
| 72-hour | 5,500 | €13.75 |
| Weekly | 6,300 | €15.75 |
| Monthly | 9,500 | €24 |
| Annual | 42,000 | €105 |

### Other Transport

| Item | Cost | Notes |
|------|------|-------|
| Bolt (5km ride) | €4-7 | Depends on demand |
| Taxi (5km) | €6-10 | Use official only |
| MOL Bubi (daily) | €1.25 | Bike share |
| Parking (center/hour) | €2-4 | Very limited |

### Car Ownership (Monthly)

| Cost | Typical |
|------|---------|
| Fuel | €100-200 |
| Insurance | €30-60 |
| Parking | €50-150 |
| Maintenance | €30-50 |
| **Total** | **€210-460** |

Not counting car purchase/loan.

## Healthcare Costs

### With Insurance

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| GP visit (private) | €30-60 |
| Specialist | €50-100 |
| Dental cleaning | €30-50 |
| Basic filling | €40-80 |

### Private Health Insurance

| Type | Monthly |
|------|---------|
| Basic | €50-100 |
| Comprehensive | €100-200 |
| Premium | €200-400 |

Public healthcare available if contributing to social security.

## Education Costs

### Public Schools
Free for residents (Hungarian language)

### International Schools (Annual)

| School Type | Range |
|-------------|-------|
| Budget international | €6,000-10,000 |
| Mid-range | €10,000-15,000 |
| Premium (British, American) | €15,000-25,000 |

### Universities

| Type | Annual |
|------|--------|
| Public (Hungarian) | Free-€2,000 |
| Public (English program) | €2,000-6,000 |
| Private | €5,000-15,000 |

## Entertainment & Lifestyle

### Monthly Estimates

| Category | Budget | Comfortable |
|----------|--------|-------------|
| Gym membership | €25-40 | €50-100 |
| Mobile phone | €10-20 | €20-40 |
| Streaming services | €10-20 | €20-40 |
| Going out (4x/month) | €60-100 | €150-300 |
| Thermal baths (4x) | €50-80 | €80-120 |
| Cinema (2x) | €15-25 | €20-35 |
| Cultural events | €20-50 | €50-150 |

### Activity Prices

| Activity | Price |
|----------|-------|
| Thermal bath entry | €15-30 |
| Cinema ticket | €8-12 |
| Museum entry | €5-15 |
| Gym day pass | €8-15 |
| Concert (local) | €10-30 |
| Concert (major) | €50-150 |
| Escape room | €12-20/person |
| Boat tour | €15-25 |

## Taxes & Income

### Income Tax

**Flat rate**: 15% personal income tax
**Social contributions**: ~18.5% employee, ~13% employer

### Effective Take-Home

Gross HUF 1,000,000/month (~€2,500):
- Net: ~€1,650-1,700

### VAT

- Standard: 27% (highest in EU)
- Reduced: 5-18% (food, medicine)

Built into prices, not added at checkout.

## Saving Money

### Housing
- Consider VIII, IX (cheaper, improving)
- Outer districts if transit-accessible
- Negotiate on longer leases
- Winter heating: check building efficiency

### Food
- Shop at Lidl, Aldi (30-40% cheaper)
- Markets for produce (Lehel, Great Market Hall)
- Cook at home, lunch canteens
- Avoid tourist restaurants

### Transport
- Monthly pass pays off quickly
- Walk in center (everything close)
- Bolt vs taxi (30% cheaper)

### Entertainment
- Happy hours, weekday specials
- Free museum days
- Ruin bars (cheap drinks)
- Parks, Danube walks (free)

### General
- Wise/Revolut cards (best exchange)
- Avoid tourist exchange offices
- Ask about student/local discounts
- Seasonal shopping (end of season sales)

## Comparison with Other Cities

| City | Rent (1BR) | Dining | Overall |
|------|------------|--------|---------|
| Budapest | €600 | €12 | 100% |
| Prague | €850 | €15 | 130% |
| Vienna | €1,100 | €20 | 170% |
| Berlin | €1,100 | €18 | 165% |
| London | €2,000 | €25 | 280% |
| Paris | €1,600 | €22 | 240% |

Budapest offers exceptional value for European capital quality of life.


path: culture.md
content: # Hungarian Culture & Customs

## Understanding Hungarians

### National Character

Hungarians are often described as:
- **Proud**: Of history, language, culture
- **Pessimistic**: Famous for dark humor, melancholy
- **Intellectual**: Value education, chess, science
- **Hospitable**: Once you're in, you're in
- **Reserved initially**: Warm up over time

### The "Hungarian Paradox"

Hungarians can seem contradictory:
- Complain constantly but fiercely defend Hungary
- Pessimistic but achieved remarkable things
- Reserved but throw wild parties
- Traditional but embrace change

### Historical Context

Understanding helps:
- **1956 Revolution**: Deep national trauma
- **Communist era**: Still shapes older generation
- **Trianon (1920)**: Treaty that reduced Hungary's size — still sensitive
- **Habsburg history**: Complex relationship with Austria
- **Turkish occupation**: 150 years, left marks

## Language

### Why It Matters

Hungarian (Magyar) is:
- Not related to surrounding languages
- Finno-Ugric family (distant relatives: Finnish, Estonian)
- Extremely difficult for English speakers
- Source of national pride

### Survival Phrases

| English | Hungarian | Pronunciation |
|---------|-----------|---------------|
| Hello (informal) | Szia | SEE-ya |
| Hello (formal) | Jó napot | YOH na-pot |
| Thank you | Köszönöm | KUR-sur-nurm |
| Please | Kérem | KAY-rem |
| Yes | Igen | EE-gen |
| No | Nem | NEM |
| Excuse me | Elnézést | EL-nay-zaysht |
| Cheers | Egészségedre | eg-AY-shay-ged-reh |
| The bill please | Számlát kérek | SAM-lat KAY-rek |
| I don't understand | Nem értem | NEM AIR-tem |
| Do you speak English? | Beszél angolul? | BES-ayl ON-go-lool |

### Language Tips

- **Attempt Hungarian**: Hugely appreciated
- **Don't assume English**: Outside center, less common
- **Name order**: Surname first (Nagy János = János Nagy)
- **Formal vs informal**: Use formal (Ön) with strangers

## Social Customs

### Meeting & Greeting

**First meeting**:
- Handshake standard
- "Jó napot kívánok" (formal)
- Wait for invitation to use first names

**Friends**:
- Kiss on both cheeks (right first)
- "Szia" (informal)
- Hugs among close friends

**Business**:
- Firm handshake
- Business cards exchanged
- Titles used (Doctor, etc.)

### Visiting Homes

**If invited**:
- Bring gift (wine, flowers, chocolates)
- Remove shoes at door (usually)
- Arrive on time (slight late okay)
- Compliment the home

**Dining at someone's home**:
- Wait for host to start
- "Jó étvágyat" (bon appétit) before eating
- Finish your plate (leaving food can offend)
- Offer to help clean up (will be refused)

### Gift Giving

**Good gifts**:
- Wine (good quality)
- Flowers (odd numbers, not 13)
- Quality chocolates
- Something from your country

**Avoid**:
- Even numbers of flowers (funerals)
- Chrysanthemums (funeral flower)
- Very expensive gifts (uncomfortable)

## Dining & Drinking

### Restaurant Etiquette

- Wait to be seated (usually)
- "Jó étvágyat" before eating
- Keep hands visible on table (not lap)
- Bread for mopping sauce is fine
- Tipping: 10-15%

### Toasting

**Wine/Pálinka**:
- "Egészségedre!" (to your health)
- Look in eyes when clinking
- Clink glasses

**Beer**:
- **Traditionally**: Don't clink beer glasses
- **Why**: Legend about Austrian execution celebration
- **Today**: Younger generation ignores this
- **Safe play**: Follow host's lead

### Coffee Culture

Hungary has strong café (kávéház) culture:
- Grand coffee houses are institutions
- Lingering is expected
- Cakes are art
- Famous: Gerbeaud, Central, New York

## Religion

### Background

- **Majority**: Catholic (Roman/Greek)
- **Significant**: Protestant (Reformed, Lutheran)
- **Also**: Jewish community (historic), other
- **Practice**: Generally moderate

### Practical Notes

- Churches open for visits (respectfully)
- Religious holidays observed
- Dress modestly in churches
- Christmas and Easter significant

## National Holidays

### Major Holidays

| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|------|---------|-------|
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day | Everything closed |
| Mar 15 | Revolution Day | 1848 revolution celebration |
| Easter | Easter Monday | Family time |
| May 1 | Labour Day | Concerts, events |
| Whit Monday | Pünkösd | Pentecost Monday |
| Aug 20 | St. Stephen's Day | Biggest national day, fireworks |
| Oct 23 | Republic Day | 1956 revolution commemoration |
| Nov 1 | All Saints' Day | Cemetery visits |
| Dec 25-26 | Christmas | Family time, everything closed |

### What to Expect

- **Closures**: Shops, services closed on holidays
- **Events**: Parades, fireworks on major days
- **Transport**: Reduced schedules
- **August 20**: Best fireworks in Central Europe

## Attitudes & Values

### Work

- Punctuality expected
- Education valued
- Hierarchy respected
- Work-life balance improving

### Family

- Family central to life
- Multi-generational ties strong
- Sunday family lunch tradition
- Children doted on

### Politics

**Sensitive topics**:
- Current government (polarizing)
- Trianon (1920 treaty)
- LGBTQ+ rights
- Immigration

**Advice**: Avoid unless you know someone well

### Personal Space

- More reserved than Mediterranean
- Less physical than Latin cultures
- Respect queues
- Public displays: Keep modest

## Arts & Culture

### Music

- **Classical**: Strong tradition, opera, orchestras
- **Folk**: Rich tradition, still alive
- **Contemporary**: Growing scenes

### Literature

- Hungarians love literature
- Many Nobel Prize nominations
- Poetry especially valued

### Intellectual Life

Hungary punches above its weight:
- Numerous Nobel laureates
- Strong chess tradition
- Mathematical excellence
- Inventions: ballpoint pen, Rubik's cube

## Festivals & Events

### Cultural

- **Budapest Spring Festival**: Classical arts (April)
- **Sziget Festival**: Huge music festival (August)
- **Budapest Wine Festival**: Castle District (September)
- **CAFÉ Budapest**: Contemporary arts (October)

### Traditional

- **Easter**: Painted eggs, sprinkling tradition
- **Christmas markets**: Magical (December)
- **Busójárás**: Carnival in Mohács (February)

## Doing Business

### Meeting Culture

- Punctuality expected
- Formal initially
- Business cards exchanged
- Small talk before business
- Hierarchy acknowledged

### Communication Style

- Direct but polite
- Written agreements important
- Follow-up expected
- Relationships matter for long-term

### Gifts & Entertainment

- Entertaining common
- Restaurants, cultural events
- Small gifts acceptable
- Avoid overly expensive

## Expat Integration Tips

### Do

- Learn basic Hungarian
- Show interest in culture
- Be patient with bureaucracy
- Join local activities
- Respect traditions

### Don't

- Criticize Hungary to Hungarians
- Assume everyone speaks English
- Be impatient with service
- Ignore cultural customs
- Discuss sensitive politics early

### Building Relationships

- Takes time (Hungarians warm up slowly)
- Once in, very loyal friends
- Food and drink shared
- Interests and hobbies connect
- Language effort appreciated greatly


path: education.md
content: # Budapest Education Guide

## Education System Overview

### Hungarian System Structure

| Level | Ages | Hungarian Name |
|-------|------|----------------|
| Kindergarten | 3-6 | Óvoda |
| Primary | 6-14 | Általános iskola |
| Secondary | 14-18 | Középiskola (Gimnázium) |
| University | 18+ | Egyetem/Főiskola |

**Compulsory education**: 6-16 years

### Language of Instruction

- **Hungarian system**: Hungarian language
- **International schools**: English, German, French, etc.
- **Bilingual programs**: Various combinations

## For Expat Families

### Options

1. **International schools** — English/other language curriculum
2. **Hungarian public schools** — Free, Hungarian language
3. **Hungarian private schools** — Hungarian with language support
4. **Home schooling** — Legal with registration

### International Schools

**Main options**:

**British System**
- Britannica International School
- Budapest British International School
- Fees: €12,000-20,000/year

**American System**
- American International School of Budapest (AISB)
- Greater Grace International School
- Fees: €15,000-25,000/year

**IB Programs**
- SEK Budapest (Spanish-international)
- AISB (IB offered)
- Various others

**German**
- Deutsche Schule Budapest
- Thomas Mann Gymnasium (bilingual)

**French**
- Lycée Français Gustave Eiffel

**Other**
- Austrian, Japanese, various options

### School Selection Criteria

**Consider**:
- Language of instruction
- Curriculum (IB, British, American, etc.)
- Location (District II popular for international)
- Fees and total costs
- Class sizes
- Extracurriculars
- Community/culture
- University preparation

### Admissions

**Typical process**:
1. Visit/tour schools (start 1 year ahead)
2. Submit application
3. Assessment/interview
4. Placement
5. Enroll

**Documents needed**:
- Previous school records
- Recommendation letters
- Birth certificate
- Passport copies
- Medical records
- Application forms

**Timeline**: Start process 6-12 months before needed

### Costs

**International schools** (annual):
- Basic: €8,000-12,000
- Mid-range: €12,000-18,000
- Premium: €18,000-25,000

**Additional costs**:
- Registration fees (one-time)
- Books and materials
- Uniforms (some schools)
- Extracurriculars
- School trips
- Lunch

**Total budget**: Add 20-30% to tuition

## Hungarian Public Schools

### Overview

- Free for residents
- High standards academically
- Hungarian language
- Well-regarded globally

### Considerations for Expats

**Challenges**:
- Hungarian language essential
- Integration can be difficult initially
- Different teaching styles
- Limited English support

**Benefits**:
- Free
- Cultural integration
- Strong academics
- Language immersion

### If Choosing Public

- Consider bilingual programs (less common)
- Ensure language support available
- Be prepared for adjustment period
- Supplement with language tutoring

## Kindergarten (Óvoda)

### Hungarian Public Kindergarten

- **Ages**: 3-6
- **Free** for residents
- **Compulsory** from age 3
- **Hungarian language**

### Private/International Kindergartens

- English-language options available
- Various curricula (Montessori, Waldorf, etc.)
- Fees: €300-1,000/month

### Finding Kindergarten

- Start search early (popular ones fill up)
- Consider location (near home or work)
- Visit multiple options
- Consider language needs

## Higher Education

### University Landscape

Budapest has excellent universities:

**Top institutions**:
- ELTE (Eötvös Loránd University) — largest
- BME (Budapest University of Technology)
- Corvinus University — economics, business
- CEU (Central European University) — graduate
- Semmelweis University — medicine

### Studying in English

**Available**:
- Many programs offered in English
- Medicine especially popular (international students)
- Business, engineering, humanities

**Costs**:
- Hungarian programs: Often free for residents
- English programs: €2,000-10,000/year (varies)
- Medicine: €10,000-15,000/year

### International Students

**Why Budapest**:
- Quality education
- Affordable living
- English programs available
- EU degree recognition
- Vibrant student life

**Visa requirements**: Non-EU need student visa

### Student Life

- Affordable city
- Active social scene
- International community
- Good public transport (student discounts)
- Many part-time work opportunities

## Extracurricular Activities

### Music & Arts

- Zeneakadémia (Music Academy) programs
- Various music schools
- Art classes, drama
- Strong classical tradition

### Sports

- Popular: Football, water polo, swimming
- Many sports clubs
- School teams
- Public facilities available

### Languages

- Language schools plentiful
- Private tutoring available
- Exchange programs

## Special Needs Education

### Public System

- Support available but variable
- Integration policies in place
- Resource limitations

### Private/International

- Better resources typically
- Learning support programs
- Smaller class sizes help
- Costs higher

### Resources

- Contact schools directly about support
- Advocacy organizations exist
- Private specialists available

## Practical Information

### School Calendar

**Academic year**: September to June
- **Fall break**: Late October (1 week)
- **Christmas break**: Late December (2 weeks)
- **Spring break**: April (1 week)
- **Summer**: July-August

### School Day

**Typical hours**:
- Primary: 8am-1pm
- Secondary: 8am-2pm
- After-school programs available

### Transport

- Public transit student discounts
- School buses (some international schools)
- Parent coordination for carpooling

### Homework & Expectations

- Hungarian schools: Significant homework
- International: Varies by school
- Parental involvement expected

## Making the Decision

### Key Questions

1. **How long staying?** (Short: international. Long: consider integration)
2. **Language priorities?** (English continuation vs. Hungarian immersion)
3. **Budget?** (International expensive, public free)
4. **Child's age?** (Younger = easier language adaptation)
5. **Future plans?** (Where for university/next move?)

### Typical Expat Choice

**Short-term (1-3 years)**: International school
**Long-term/permanent**: International or bilingual program
**Very young children**: More flexibility, consider Hungarian

### Resources

**For research**:
- School websites
- Expat forums (experiences)
- Embassy recommendations
- School visits

**Support**:
- Relocation companies
- Expat family networks
- Education consultants


path: food-areas.md
content: # Best Dining Areas in Budapest

## District by District

### District V — Fine Dining & Tourist Traps

**Best for**: Fine dining, coffee houses, business meals
**Avoid**: Random tourist menus on Váci utca

**Hotspots**:
- **Around St. Stephen's Basilica**: Upscale, tourist-heavy but quality
- **Október 6 utca**: Local favorite street
- **Hold utca / Hold Street Market**: Modern food hall
- **Nádor utca**: Business lunch area

**Top Picks**:
- Borkonyha (Michelin)
- Babel (Michelin)
- Onyx (Michelin)
- Stand25 (Hold Market, Michelin)
- Kiosk (casual quality)

**Warning**: Váci utca = tourist trap central. Beautiful street, terrible restaurants.

---

### District VI — The Sweet Spot

**Best for**: Balance of quality, price, atmosphere
**Vibe**: Cosmopolitan, varied, locals + tourists

**Hotspots**:
- **Liszt Ferenc tér**: Terrace restaurants, lively
- **Nagymező utca**: Theater district dining
- **Andrássy út side streets**: Hidden gems

**Top Picks**:
- Menza (modern Hungarian)
- Klassz (wine + Hungarian)
- Drop Restaurant (casual fine)
- Indigo (Indian)

**Tip**: Better value than V, more interesting than VII for dining.

---

### District VII — Ruin Bars & Middle Eastern

**Best for**: Casual, late night, street food, Middle Eastern
**Vibe**: Young, edgy, tourist + party crowd

**Hotspots**:
- **Kazinczy utca area**: Ruin bar central + food
- **Gozsdu Udvar**: Courtyard with restaurants
- **Klauzál tér**: Market + surrounding streets
- **Dob utca**: Israeli/Middle Eastern strip

**Top Picks**:
- Mazel Tov (Middle Eastern, courtyard)
- Kőleves (modern Hungarian, garden)
- Fülemüle (traditional Hungarian)
- Pho 18 (Vietnamese)
- Bors GasztroBar (soup + sandwiches)

**Warning**: Quality varies wildly. Avoid generic ruin bar food.

---

### District VIII — Hidden Gems & Budget

**Best for**: Budget eats, authentic local, emerging scene
**Vibe**: Edgy, gentrifying, real Budapest

**Hotspots**:
- **Palotanegyed (Palace Quarter)**: Improving rapidly
- **Corvin area**: New restaurants opening
- **Around National Museum**: Some gems

**Top Picks**:
- Rosenstein (Jewish-Hungarian legend)
- Costes (Michelin, edge of VIII)
- Kisüzem (craft beer + food)

**Tip**: Explore carefully, rewards adventurous eaters.

---

### District IX — Ráday Street

**Best for**: Restaurant row, variety, good value
**Vibe**: Student + young professional, café culture

**Hotspots**:
- **Ráday utca**: The main event, wall-to-wall dining
- **Around Corvinus University**: Student spots
- **Near MÜPA/Bálna**: Modern development

**Top Picks**:
- Costes Downtown (fine dining)
- Soul Café (brunch)
- Multiple ethnic options on Ráday

**Tip**: Walk the street, check menus, choose vibe.

---

### District XIII — Modern & Local

**Best for**: Quality without tourists, local favorites
**Vibe**: Professional, residential, authentic

**Hotspots**:
- **Pozsonyi út**: Riverside dining
- **Around Szent István Park**: Neighborhood gems
- **Near Margaret Bridge**: Pre/post island

**Top Picks**:
- Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő (cheap, authentic)
- Két Szerecsen (popular local)
- Trattoria Pomo D'Oro (Italian)

**Tip**: Best for real Budapest dining experience.

---

### Buda — Worth the Bridge

**Best for**: Quality without crowds, special occasions, views
**Vibe**: Quieter, more upscale, locals

**Areas**:
- **Castle District (I)**: Tourist prices, few gems
- **Tabán (I)**: Excellent restaurants
- **Víziváros (I)**: More options
- **District II**: Residential but good
- **Gellért area (XI)**: Near bath

**Top Picks**:
- Csalogány 26 (District I)
- Kéhli Vendéglő (District III, traditional)
- Kisbuda Gyöngye (District III, romantic)
- 21 Magyar Vendéglő (District I)
- Arany Kaviár (Russian, District I)

---

## Specific Street Guides

### Hold Utca (District V)
Modern dining strip around Hold Street Market.
- Stand25 (Michelin, in market)
- Borkonyha (Michelin)
- Café Kör (classic)
- Multiple stalls in market

### Ráday Utca (District IX)
Budapest's restaurant row. 500m of dining.
- Walk both sides
- Check menus posted outside
- Outdoor terraces in summer
- Mix of quality — research first

### Liszt Ferenc Tér (District VI)
Terrace square, lively atmosphere.
- Menza (best on square)
- Pest-Buda (modern Hungarian)
- Multiple options, variable quality
- Great for people-watching

### Gozsdu Udvar (District VII)
Covered courtyard passage with restaurants.
- DiVino (wine bar, great)
- Multiple cuisine options
- Gets clubby late at weekends
- Tourist-heavy but fun

### Kazinczy Utca Area (District VII)
Ruin bar central with food options.
- Szimpla (bar, basic food)
- Street food vendors
- Karavan (food truck court)
- Kőleves (quality restaurant)

## Special Occasion Venues

### Romantic Dinner
- Kisbuda Gyöngye (garden, traditional)
- Babel (views, fine dining)
- Arany Kaviár (intimate, caviar)
- High Note SkyBar (rooftop views)

### Business Lunch
- Borkonyha (impressive, Michelin)
- Café Kör (classic, reliable)
- Felix (modern, District V)
- Babel (fine dining option)

### Group Dining
- Mazel Tov (big courtyard)
- Koleves (garden)
- DiVino (wine + sharing)
- Any csárda (traditional group-friendly)

### Outdoor/Garden
- Mazel Tov (best courtyard)
- Kőleves (garden)
- Ruin bars (atmospheric)
- Margaret Island restaurants (summer)

### Views
- High Note SkyBar (360° city)
- Halászbástya Restaurant (Castle views)
- Babel (Parliament views)
- Citadella restaurant (panorama)

## Seasonal Considerations

### Summer
- Outdoor terraces everywhere
- Reservations needed for popular spots
- Margaret Island restaurants open
- Rooftop bars + dining

### Winter
- Indoor focus
- Christmas markets (food stalls)
- Traditional heavy dishes
- Reservations easier

## Avoiding Tourist Traps

### Red Flags
- Menu in 6+ languages
- Photos of food on menu
- Staff aggressively recruiting outside
- Location on Váci utca
- "Tourist menu" advertised
- No prices displayed

### Green Flags
- Hungarians eating there
- Menu in Hungarian first
- Off main tourist streets
- No outside recruiters
- Specific about dishes
- Recommended in local sources


path: food-hungarian.md
content: # Hungarian Cuisine Deep Dive

## The Essentials

### Gulyás (Goulash)
The national dish — but not what most tourists expect.

**What it actually is**: A soup, not a stew
- Beef chunks, onions, paprika, potatoes
- Thin, brothy consistency
- Often served in a small kettle (bogrács)
- Eaten with bread

**Where to try**:
- Kéhli Vendéglő (authentic, historic)
- Rosenstein (Jewish-Hungarian fusion)
- Borkonyha (upscale version)

**Avoid**: Tourist-trap "goulash" that's thick brown stew

### Pörkölt
What foreigners think goulash is — a proper stew.

**Types**:
- Marhapörkölt (beef)
- Sertéspörkölt (pork)
- Birkepörkölt (mutton)
- Csirkepörkölt (chicken)

**Served with**: Nokedli (dumplings), tarhonya (egg barley), or bread

**Where to try**:
- Rosenstein
- Kisbuda Gyöngye
- Klassz

### Paprikás Csirke
Chicken in creamy paprika sauce. Comfort food perfection.

**The dish**: Chicken pieces braised in onion-paprika base, finished with sour cream

**Essential pairing**: Nokedli (small dumplings)

**Where to try**:
- Kéhli Vendéglő
- Gundel (upscale)
- Hungarikum Bisztró

### Halászlé
Spicy fisherman's soup — a Hungarian Christmas tradition.

**Regional styles**:
- Szeged style: Thicker, more fish varieties
- Baja style: More brothy, carp-focused

**Warning**: Very spicy, very fishy — acquired taste for some

**Where to try**:
- Kéhli Vendéglő
- Halászkert (fish specialist)
- Any restaurant around Lake Balaton

## Meat Dishes

### Töltött Káposzta
Stuffed cabbage rolls — winter comfort food.

**What's inside**: Pork and rice mixture
**Served with**: Sour cream, sausage on the side
**Best season**: Winter (heavy dish)

### Csülök
Pork knuckle — German influence, very popular.

**Usually**: Roasted until crispy outside, tender inside
**Served with**: Mustard, horseradish, pickles, bread
**Warning**: Extremely large portions

### Lacipecsenye
Pork cutlet, street food style.

**Where**: Markets, festivals, beer gardens
**What**: Thin pork cutlet on bread
**Accompaniments**: Onions, mustard, pickles

### Libamáj
Goose liver — Hungarian foie gras.

**Quality**: Excellent, much cheaper than French
**Preparations**: Pan-fried, pâté, or as a course
**Where**: Borkonyha, Rosenstein, Costes

## Lighter Dishes

### Lecsó
Hungarian ratatouille.

**Base**: Peppers, tomatoes, onions, paprika
**Variations**: With egg, with sausage, plain
**Use**: Side dish or main course

### Túrós Csusza
Pasta with cottage cheese and bacon.

**The dish**: Fresh pasta sheets, túró (farmer's cheese), crispy bacon
**Topped with**: Sour cream
**Comfort level**: Maximum

### Tökfőzelék
Squash stew/vegetable dish.

**What**: Creamy squash cooked in roux
**Usually**: Vegetarian base, sometimes served under meat
**Good for**: Light meal option

### Körözött
Paprika-spiced cheese spread.

**Made from**: Sheep's cheese, paprika, caraway, butter
**Served**: With bread, raw vegetables
**Where**: Any vendéglő, beer gardens

## Street Food & Quick Bites

### Lángos
Deep-fried dough heaven.

**Classic toppings**:
- Sour cream + cheese (tejfölös-sajtos)
- Garlic butter (fokhagymás)
- Nutella (modern, tourist)

**Where**:
- Great Market Hall (top floor)
- Street vendors at markets
- Retró Lángos Büfé (cult favorite)

**Tip**: Best eaten hot and fresh

### Kürtőskalács
Chimney cake.

**Traditional**: Plain or walnut
**Modern**: Every flavor imaginable
**Where**: Street vendors everywhere, Molnár's (quality)

### Rétes (Strudel)
Hungarian strudel — different from Austrian.

**Fillings**:
- Meggyes (sour cherry) — most traditional
- Mákos (poppy seed)
- Túrós (cottage cheese)
- Almás (apple)

**Where**: Ruszwurm (oldest café, Castle District)

### Pogácsa
Savory scone/biscuit.

**Types**: Cheese, crackling, plain
**When**: Breakfast, snack, with drinks
**Where**: Bakeries everywhere

## Soups Beyond Goulash

### Újházi Tyúkhúsleves
Rich chicken soup.

**What**: Whole chicken, vegetables, egg noodles
**When**: Restorative, hangover cure
**Where**: Traditional vendéglők

### Jókai Bableves
Bean soup with smoked pork.

**Named after**: Famous Hungarian writer
**Contents**: Beans, smoked meat, sour cream
**When**: Winter, hearty meal

### Palócleves
Lamb and sauerkraut soup.

**Unique**: Sour cream + dill finish
**Good for**: Something different

### Gyümölcsleves
Cold fruit soup.

**Types**: Sour cherry (meggyleves), mixed berry
**When**: Summer only
**Sweet**: Yes — served as first course

## Desserts

### Dobos Torta
The famous layered cake.

**Layers**: Sponge, chocolate buttercream
**Top**: Caramel slices
**Where**: Gerbeaud, Café Central

### Somlói Galuska
Trifle-style dessert.

**Components**: Sponge, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, walnuts, rum
**Where**: Every traditional restaurant

### Rigó Jancsi
Chocolate squares.

**Named after**: Famous Roma violinist
**What**: Chocolate sponge, chocolate cream
**Where**: Classic cafés

### Gundel Palacsinta
Famous stuffed pancakes.

**Created at**: Gundel restaurant
**Filling**: Walnut, raisins, rum
**Topped**: Dark chocolate sauce, flambéed

## Where to Eat Hungarian

### Traditional/Authentic

**Kéhli Vendéglő**
- District III (Óbuda)
- Very authentic, historic
- Beloved by locals
- Reservation recommended

**Rosenstein**
- District VIII
- Jewish-Hungarian
- Legendary dishes
- Old-school service

**Klassz**
- District VI
- Modern Hungarian
- Wine focus
- Hip crowd

**Kisbuda Gyöngye**
- District III
- Traditional, romantic
- Garden in summer
- Classic execution

### Modern Hungarian

**Borkonyha**
- District V
- Michelin star
- Wine focus
- Sophisticated

**Stand25**
- Hold Street Market
- Michelin star
- Casual setting
- Market-driven

**Babel**
- District V
- Creative Hungarian
- Fine dining
- Tasting menus

**Costes**
- District IX
- Two Michelin stars
- International-Hungarian
- Special occasion

### Budget Hungarian

**Frici Papa**
- District V
- Canteen style
- Super cheap
- Authentic

**Kisharang**
- District V
- Popular with workers
- Lunch special value
- No frills

**Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő**
- District XIII
- Traditional, cheap
- Locals' favorite
- Cash preferred

## Eating Hungarian: Tips

### Ordering
- "Kérek szépen egy..." = I would like a...
- Point at menu if pronunciation fails
- Ask "Mi a mai menü?" for daily special

### Portions
- Hungarian portions are large
- Sharing is acceptable
- Taking home less common but ask

### Meal Timing
- Lunch is traditionally main meal
- Kitchen often closes 10pm
- Weekend brunch culture growing

### What to Avoid
- Restaurants with photos on menu (tourist trap sign)
- "Menu" in 6+ languages
- Anyone aggressively beckoning you in
- Váci utca (tourist central)


path: food-international.md
content: # International Dining in Budapest

## The Scene

Budapest's international dining has exploded. From fine dining to street food, nearly every cuisine represented — often at half Western European prices.

## By Cuisine

### Italian
Strong presence, quality varies widely.

**Upscale**
- **DiVino** — Wine bar with excellent Italian fare, multiple locations
- **Sale e Pepe** — Authentic, high quality
- **Pomo D'Oro** — Reliable Italian, District V

**Casual/Pizza**
- **Pizza Manufaktúra** — Best Neapolitan in city
- **Ristorante Krizia** — Solid all-around
- **Bestia** — Trendy, pizzas excellent

### Asian

**Japanese**
- **Nobu Budapest** — Hotel brand, reliable luxury
- **Sushi Sei** — Considered best authentic sushi
- **Wasabi** — Chain, decent fast option
- **Rámen Yokochō** — Good ramen

**Chinese**
- **Shanghai** — Long-standing, Sichuan options
- **Great Wall** — Traditional, large portions
- Warning: Many "Chinese" restaurants are quite Hungarianized

**Thai**
- **Bangkok House** — Most authentic
- **Tom-Yum Thai** — Good, multiple locations
- **Padi Thai** — Casual, reliable

**Vietnamese**
- **Pho 18** — Great pho, District VII
- **Saigon** — Long-established
- **Namnam** — Growing chain, good quality

**Korean**
- **K-Food** — Growing scene
- **Seoullo** — Authentic experience
- Limited but improving

**Indian**
- **Indigo** — Most established, District VI
- **Curry House** — Good value
- **Taj Mahal** — Reliable, multiple locations

### Middle Eastern

Strong scene in Jewish Quarter (District VII).

**Israeli/Middle Eastern**
- **Mazel Tov** — Courtyard restaurant, excellent
- **Dobrumba** — Mediterranean fusion, popular
- **Padthai Wokbar** — Wait, actually good Middle Eastern too

**Lebanese/Arabic**
- **Al-Amir** — Authentic Lebanese
- **Falafel Budapest** — Multiple locations, quick

**Turkish**
- **Istanbul Kebab** — Reliable, cheap
- Various döner shops around city

### Mexican/Latin

Growing scene, variable authenticity.

**Mexican**
- **Arriba Taquería** — Closest to authentic
- **Iguana** — Tex-Mex, fun atmosphere
- **El Patron** — Newer, good tacos

**Other Latin**
- **Havanna Café** — Cuban theme, decent food
- Limited authentic South American

### American

**Burgers**
- **Bamba Marha** — Best burgers in city
- **Tuning** — Car-themed, good quality
- **Zing** — Chain, reliable

**BBQ**
- **Füstölő** — Actual smoked meats
- **BBQ Budapest** — American-style

**Brunch**
- **First Strudel House** — Despite name, good brunch
- **Cirkusz** — Popular weekend spot
- **Egg Lab** — Specialty eggs

### European

**French**
- **Costes Downtown** — Fine dining
- **Café Bouchon** — Bistro style
- **Cyrano** — Classic French, District V

**Spanish**
- **La Bodeguita del Medio** — Cuban-Spanish
- **Tapas Bar** — Decent tapas
- Limited authentic options

**Greek**
- **Taverna Dionysos** — Best Greek
- **Greek Taverna** — Casual, good

**German/Austrian**
- **Wiener Kávéház** — Schnitzel
- **Several beer halls** — German food alongside

## Fine Dining

### Michelin Starred

**Costes** ★★
- District IX
- International-Hungarian
- Tasting menus
- €100-150/person

**Stand25** ★
- Hold Street Market
- Market-driven
- More casual
- €60-90/person

**Borkonyha** ★
- District V
- Hungarian-wine focus
- Elegant
- €70-100/person

**Babel** ★
- District V
- Creative Hungarian
- Modern space
- €80-120/person

**Onyx** ★★
- District V
- Fine dining
- Classic luxury
- €120-180/person

### Notable Fine Dining (Non-starred)

**Salt** — New Nordic-influenced
**Felix Kitchen** — District V, contemporary
**Spago** — Italian-American, hotel dining
**Aszu** — Wine focus, tasting menus

## Vegetarian & Vegan

### Dedicated Vegetarian/Vegan

**Napfényes** — Long-standing vegan, VII
**Vegan Love** — Burgers, comfort food
**Édeni Vegan** — Fine-ish vegan dining
**Kozmosz** — Vegan buffet, cheap
**Vegacity** — Multiple locations

### Best Non-Veg with Vegan Options

**Mazel Tov** — Excellent mezze
**Hummus Bar** — Multiple locations
**Dobrumba** — Mediterranean
**Pho 18** — Vietnamese (specify vegan)

### Vegetarian-Friendly Cuisines
- Indian restaurants: Usually have options
- Israeli/Middle Eastern: Many naturally vegan
- Thai: Can adapt many dishes
- Italian: Pasta dishes

## Budget International

### Best Value by Cuisine

| Cuisine | Spot | Avg Price |
|---------|------|-----------|
| Vietnamese | Pho 18 | €6-9 |
| Middle Eastern | Falafel stands | €4-6 |
| Indian | Curry House | €7-10 |
| Mexican | Arriba | €8-12 |
| Chinese | Great Wall | €6-10 |
| Burger | Bamba Marha | €10-14 |

### Food Courts & Markets

**Hold Street Market**
- Multiple cuisines
- Quality high
- Trendy spot
- District V

**Bálna**
- Riverside location
- Various options
- District IX

**Gozsdu Udvar**
- Courtyard complex
- District VII
- More tourist-oriented

**Klauzál Tér Market**
- District VII
- Mix of local + trendy
- Good lunch options

## Late Night Options

### After Midnight

**Non-Stop Gyros** — Döner shops, various locations
**Chinese Delivery** — Wolt/Foodpanda apps
**Ruin Bars** — Basic food until late
**Street2** — Open late, decent food

### 24/7 Options
- Limited true 24/7
- McDonald's (some)
- Gas station shops
- Night shops (snacks)

## Food Delivery

### Apps
- **Wolt** — Market leader
- **Foodpanda** — Alternative
- **Netpincér** — Local option

### Coverage
- Excellent in central districts
- Slower/limited in outer areas
- Peak times = longer waits

### Typical Delivery
- €1-3 delivery fee
- 20-45 min depending on distance
- Tipping in app or cash

## Brunch Culture

### Best Brunch Spots

**Cirkusz** — Popular, book ahead
**Dobrumba** — Middle Eastern brunch
**First Strudel House** — Despite name, great brunch
**Café Kör** — Classic, District V
**High Note SkyBar** — Views + brunch
**Babel** — Upscale brunch

### Brunch Info
- Weekend phenomenon mainly
- 10am-3pm typical
- Reservations recommended for popular spots
- Price: €12-25 per person average

## Recommendations by Area

### District V
- **Fine dining**: Onyx, Babel
- **Italian**: Pomo D'Oro
- **Brunch**: Café Kör

### District VI
- **Indian**: Indigo
- **International**: Felix
- **Casual**: Multiple options on Liszt tér

### District VII
- **Middle Eastern**: Mazel Tov
- **Vietnamese**: Pho 18
- **Vegan**: Napfényes, Vegan Love

### District IX
- **Ráday utca**: Everything
- **Fine dining**: Costes
- **Casual**: Multiple

### Buda
- **Worth crossing**: Larus (fish), Jardinette (garden)
- More limited but often better value


path: food-nightlife.md
content: # Budapest Nightlife & Drinks

## The Ruin Bar Phenomenon

Budapest invented the ruin bar concept in early 2000s — abandoned buildings transformed into eclectic drinking spaces. Now world-famous.

### The Originals

**Szimpla Kert** (VII)
- The first, the legend
- Multi-room maze of eclectic furniture
- Now touristy but still essential
- Sunday farmers market
- Food: basic, overpriced
- **Go**: At least once, ideally weekday

**Instant-Fogas** (VII)
- Massive complex
- Multiple floors, themes, dance areas
- More club-like than Szimpla
- **Go**: If you want to party

**Ellátó Kert** (VII)
- More local crowd
- Less touristy
- Good vibes
- **Go**: Authentic ruin experience

**Anker't** (VII)
- Slightly upscale
- Good food alongside drinks
- Design-conscious
- **Go**: Elevated ruin bar

**Mazel Tov** (VII)
- Restaurant-bar hybrid
- Beautiful courtyard
- Excellent Middle Eastern food
- **Go**: Dinner + drinks

**Csendes** (V)
- Vintage ruin bar
- More quirky, less party
- Intellectual crowd
- **Go**: Chill alternative

### Beyond Ruin Bars

**Kuplung** (VII)
- Old parking garage
- More underground feel
- Less tourist

**Corvin Terasz** (VIII)
- Rooftop cinema vibes
- Great views
- More local

**Fekete Kutya** (VII)
- Older crowd
- No tourist horde
- Authentic neighborhood bar

## Wine Bars (Borozó)

Hungarian wine is excellent and underrated. Explore at these spots:

### Premium Wine Bars

**DiVino** (multiple locations)
- Best wine bar in city
- Excellent by-the-glass selection
- Good food too
- Perfect for learning Hungarian wine

**Doblo** (VII)
- Cellar atmosphere
- Focus on Hungarian wines
- Cheese + charcuterie
- Intimate, great for dates

**DROP** (VI)
- Modern, sleek
- Natural wines
- Food-forward

**Kadarka** (VII)
- Wine + food
- Named after grape variety
- Quality selection

### Budget Wine

**Borbiár** (V)
- Standing wine bar
- Very cheap
- Authentic experience

**Local borozós** (various)
- Traditional wine bars
- Old men drinking
- Very cheap, very authentic
- Find one, embrace it

### Wine 101

**Key Hungarian Wines**:
- Olaszrizling (dry white)
- Furmint (dry white, Tokaj)
- Kékfrankos (light red)
- Egri Bikavér (Bulls Blood blend)
- Tokaji Aszú (sweet dessert)
- Villányi reds (Cabernet, Merlot)

**Ordering**:
- "Fröccs" = wine spritzer (very Hungarian)
- "Száraz" = dry
- "Édes" = sweet

## Craft Beer

Growing scene, though not as strong as wine culture.

### Craft Beer Bars

**Élesztőház** (VIII)
- Best craft beer bar
- Industrial space
- Many taps
- Food trucks

**Hopaholic** (various)
- Multiple locations
- Good selection
- More accessible

**Léhűtő** (VII)
- Craft beer + good food
- Near ruin bars
- Quality over quantity

**FIRST Craft Beer** (VII)
- Big selection
- Classic craft bar format

### Local Breweries
- Horizont
- Mad Scientist
- Fóti
- Monyo

### Traditional Beer
- Dreher, Borsodi, Soproni (mass market)
- Fine for cheap drinking
- Better craft options exist

## Cocktail Bars

### High-End

**Boutiq'Bar** (V)
- Considered best in city
- Creative cocktails
- Excellent service
- Reservations recommended

**High Note SkyBar** (V)
- Rooftop views
- Good cocktails
- Tourist-friendly but quality

**Blue Fox** (V)
- Classic style
- Historic hotel bar
- Sophisticated

### Mid-Range

**Instant** (VII)
- In ruin bar complex
- Decent cocktails
- More accessible

**Paloma** (VII)
- Mexican vibes
- Good margaritas
- Fun atmosphere

### Speakeasy Style

**Fekete** (VII)
- Hidden entrance
- Intimate setting
- Quality drinks

## Pálinka (Fruit Brandy)

Traditional Hungarian spirit. 40-70% alcohol. Take seriously.

### Types
- Barack (apricot) — most common
- Szilva (plum) — classic
- Körte (pear) — elegant
- Cseresznye (cherry) — fruity
- Ágyas (aged/on fruit bed) — premium

### Where to Try

**Rumpus Tiki Bar** (VII)
- Unexpected but good selection
- Fun atmosphere

**DiVino** (various)
- Good pálinka alongside wine

**Any traditional restaurant**
- After dinner tradition
- Ask for recommendation

### Etiquette
- Sipped, not shot
- Room temperature
- "Egészségedre!" (to your health)
- After meals traditionally

## Rooftop Bars

### Best Rooftops

**High Note SkyBar** (V)
- Aria Hotel rooftop
- 360° views
- Cocktails + food
- Sunset essential

**St. Andrea Sky Bar** (V)
- Parliament views
- More intimate
- Quality drinks

**Leo Rooftop Bar** (V)
- Near Basilica
- Good for sunset
- Modern vibe

**360 Bar** (VI)
- On Andrássy
- Rotating bar concept
- Party atmosphere

## Club Scene

### Electronic/Dance

**Akvarium Klub** (VII)
- Under Erzsébet tér
- Major concerts + club nights
- Various genres

**A38** (XI)
- Ship on Danube
- Excellent sound
- Alternative/electronic
- Concerts + club nights

**Lärm** (VII)
- Underground techno
- Serious electronic focus

**Toldi Klub** (VI)
- Smaller, quality
- Varied programming

### Live Music

**Budapest Jazz Club** (V)
- As named
- Quality performances
- Intimate setting

**Jedermann** (VI)
- Live music
- Various genres
- Good atmosphere

**Dürer Kert** (IX)
- Outdoor venue
- Concerts + festivals
- Alternative scene

## LGBTQ+ Scene

### Main Venues

**Alterego** (VII)
- Largest gay club
- Weekend parties

**Why Not Café** (VII)
- Casual bar
- Friendly

**Funny Carrot** (VII)
- Mixed crowd
- Alternative

### Context
Budapest is relatively tolerant in center, but government politics have become less supportive. Scene concentrated in District VII, generally welcoming city for visitors.

## Practical Tips

### Hours
- Bars: 6pm-2am typical
- Ruin bars: Open late (4-5am weekends)
- Clubs: 10pm-6am
- Wine bars: Close earlier (11pm-12am)

### Prices
- Beer (0.5L): 800-1,500 HUF (€2-4)
- Wine glass: 1,000-2,500 HUF (€2.50-6)
- Cocktail: 2,500-4,000 HUF (€6-10)
- Pálinka shot: 1,000-2,000 HUF (€2.50-5)

### Cover Charges
- Most bars: None
- Clubs: Usually 2,000-5,000 HUF (€5-12)
- Some waive with guestlist

### Safety
- Very safe generally
- Watch drinks (universal advice)
- Taxis: Use Bolt app
- Pickpockets: Aware in crowded bars
- Drink water — pálinka strong

### Getting Home
- Night buses (3-digit numbers)
- Bolt app
- Főtaxi (official)
- Never street hail taxis

## Seasonal

### Summer
- Outdoor everything
- Rooftops peak
- Gardens/terraces
- Margaret Island venues

### Winter
- Indoor focus
- Cozy wine bars
- Mulled wine at markets
- Thermal bath + bar combo


path: food-overview.md
content: # Budapest Food Scene Overview

## The Dining Landscape

Budapest has transformed from post-communist food desert to genuine culinary destination. The scene combines:

- **Hungarian revival**: Traditional dishes reimagined
- **International diversity**: Every cuisine represented
- **Price advantage**: 40-60% cheaper than Western Europe
- **Wine excellence**: Underrated Hungarian wines

## Hungarian Cuisine Basics

### Flavors to Know
- **Paprika**: The defining spice (sweet, hot, smoked varieties)
- **Sour cream (tejföl)**: On everything
- **Onions**: Base of most dishes
- **Caraway**: Common in breads, soups
- **Dill**: Fresh herbs in salads, sauces

### Meal Structure
- **Breakfast (reggeli)**: Light — coffee and pastry
- **Lunch (ebéd)**: Main meal traditionally (12-2pm)
- **Dinner (vacsora)**: Lighter than lunch historically, now similar

### What "Hungarian" Actually Means
Real Hungarian food is peasant cuisine — hearty, comforting, sometimes heavy:
- Lots of meat
- Rich sauces
- Starchy sides (potatoes, bread, pasta)
- Preserved/pickled vegetables

Lighter options exist but traditional = substantial.

## Restaurant Types

### Étterem
Formal restaurant. White tablecloths, service charge, higher prices.

### Vendéglő
Tavern/inn style. Traditional dishes, casual, better value.

### Kifőzde
Lunch cafeteria. Workers' lunch spot, very cheap, soup + main.

### Bisztró
Modern bistro. Contemporary take on Hungarian or international.

### Kávéház
Grand coffee house. Cakes, coffee, atmosphere. Historic institutions.

### Borozó
Wine bar. Simple food, focus on wine by glass.

### Söröző
Beer hall. Beer focus, often German-influenced food.

### Csárda
Traditional country-style restaurant. Folk music, tourist-oriented often.

## Price Guide (2026)

| Type | Lunch | Dinner |
|------|-------|--------|
| Kifőzde/canteen | €3-5 | — |
| Casual Hungarian | €6-10 | €10-15 |
| Mid-range restaurant | €10-15 | €15-25 |
| Fine dining | €25-40 | €50-100+ |
| Fast food/street food | €3-6 | €5-10 |

## The Dining Scene by Area

### District V (Belváros)
- Tourist prices (30% markup)
- Quality varies hugely
- Some excellent hidden gems
- Ask locals, avoid "Menu in 6 languages"

### District VI (Terézváros)
- Sweet spot for dining
- Good Hungarian + international
- Better value than V
- Locals actually eat here

### District VII (Jewish Quarter)
- Street food heaven
- Ruin bar food (variable quality)
- Israeli/Middle Eastern strong
- Late-night options

### District IX (Ferencváros)
- Ráday utca = restaurant row
- Quality varies, some gems
- More local crowd
- Good value

### Buda Side
- Fewer but often better restaurants
- Locals' favorites
- Worth the bridge crossing
- Tabán area excellent

## What to Eat First

### Must-Try Dishes
1. **Gulyás (Goulash)**: The real thing is soup, not stew
2. **Pörkölt**: What tourists think goulash is (stew)
3. **Paprikás csirke**: Chicken in paprika cream sauce
4. **Lángos**: Deep-fried dough with toppings
5. **Halászlé**: Spicy fish soup
6. **Töltött káposzta**: Stuffed cabbage rolls
7. **Túrós csusza**: Pasta with cottage cheese + bacon
8. **Lecsó**: Hungarian ratatouille

### Street Food
- **Kürtőskalács**: Chimney cake (tourist version sweet)
- **Lángos**: Fried dough (sour cream + cheese classic)
- **Langallo**: Long bread with toppings
- **Rétes**: Strudel (cherry, poppy seed, cottage cheese)

### Desserts
- **Dobos torta**: Layered cake with caramel
- **Somlói galuska**: Trifle-style sponge dessert
- **Rigó Jancsi**: Chocolate cream cake squares
- **Túrógombóc**: Sweet cottage cheese dumplings

## Wine 101

Hungarian wine is seriously underrated. Key regions:

### Tokaj
- Famous sweet wines (Aszú)
- Dry whites increasingly popular
- Furmint grape

### Eger
- Bulls Blood (Egri Bikavér) — red blend
- Improving quality
- Good whites too

### Villány
- Best reds (Cabernet, Merlot)
- Mediterranean climate
- International quality

### Balaton
- Light whites
- Easy drinking
- Summer wines

### What to Order
- **Dry white**: Olaszrizling, Furmint
- **Red**: Kékfrankos, Bikavér
- **Sweet**: Tokaji Aszú (5-6 puttonyos)
- **Rosé**: Balaton region

## Dining Etiquette

### Reservations
- Fine dining: Essential (book 1-2 weeks)
- Mid-range dinner: Recommended for weekends
- Lunch: Usually walk-in fine

### Tipping
- **Standard**: 10-15%
- **Check first**: Some add service charge
- **How**: Tell server total when paying ("4,000") or leave on table
- **Card tip**: Ask if staff receives (sometimes doesn't)

### Dress Code
- **Fine dining**: Smart casual minimum
- **Most places**: Casual fine
- **Avoid**: Beach wear in restaurants

### Splitting Bills
- Getting easier but not universal
- Some places won't split cards
- Carry some cash

## Dietary Considerations

### Vegetarian
- Improving but challenging
- Many "vegetable" dishes have meat stock
- Ask specifically: "Van benne hús?" (Does it have meat?)
- Best options: VII (Middle Eastern), VI (international)

### Vegan
- Growing scene in center
- Dedicated vegan restaurants exist
- Traditional Hungarian = very difficult
- Apps: HappyCow for finding spots

### Gluten-Free
- Awareness growing
- Ask specifically, not universal understanding
- Many traditional dishes naturally GF (meat dishes)

### Kosher
- Jewish Quarter has options
- Traditional kosher harder to find
- Check certification if strict

### Halal
- Limited but exists
- Middle Eastern restaurants in VII
- Ask specifically

## Seasonal Eating

### Spring
- Wild garlic (medvehagyma)
- Asparagus season
- Light dishes return

### Summer
- Cold fruit soups
- Fresh salads
- Outdoor terraces everywhere
- Lake Balaton fish

### Autumn
- Game season (deer, wild boar)
- Mushroom dishes
- Wine harvest festivals
- Heavier dishes return

### Winter
- Full hearty mode
- Cabbage dishes
- Rich stews
- Christmas: fish (carp tradition)


path: healthcare.md
content: # Budapest Healthcare Guide

## System Overview

Hungary has a dual healthcare system:
- **Public**: Tax-funded, universal for contributors
- **Private**: Growing sector, English-speaking options

### Quality

- **Public**: Variable. Some excellent, some underfunded
- **Private**: Generally high quality
- **Training**: Hungarian doctors well-trained
- **EU context**: Below Western average spending, above average outcomes

## Public Healthcare (TB)

### Access Requirements

**Who can access**:
- Hungarian citizens
- Residents contributing to social security
- EU citizens with EHIC/GHIC
- Refugees/asylum seekers

**TAJ Number**: Social security number required
- Obtained through employment
- Or voluntary contribution

### How It Works

1. **Registration**: Register with a háziorvos (GP)
2. **GP referral**: Need referral for specialists
3. **Free at point of use**: For contributors
4. **Prescription**: Subsidized medications

### Realities

**Positives**:
- Free/low cost
- Good emergency care
- Some excellent specialists

**Challenges**:
- Long wait times for non-urgent
- Overcrowded facilities
- Limited English
- "Gratitude payments" (hálapénz) — tips to doctors

### EU Citizens

**EHIC/GHIC Card**:
- Provides same access as locals
- Covers necessary treatment
- Not full health insurance
- Get before travel

**S1 Form**:
- For long-term residents
- Transfers healthcare rights
- From home country

## Private Healthcare

### Why Private

- Shorter wait times
- English-speaking doctors
- Modern facilities
- Appointment availability
- No "gratitude payments"

### Major Private Providers

**FirstMed**
- District I (Buda)
- Fully English-speaking
- Popular with expats
- Full range of services
- ~€50-100 for GP visit

**Medicover**
- Multiple locations
- Good specialists
- Corporate contracts common
- Modern facilities

**Dr. Rose Private Hospital**
- Full hospital services
- Surgery capabilities
- Premium tier

**SOS International**
- Emergency services
- Clinic and hospital
- International standards

### Costs (Private, without insurance)

| Service | Typical Cost |
|---------|--------------|
| GP visit | €40-70 |
| Specialist | €60-120 |
| Blood tests | €30-100 |
| X-ray | €40-80 |
| MRI | €200-400 |
| Minor surgery | €500-2,000 |

### Dental Care

Hungary is a dental tourism destination:
- High quality care
- 50-70% cheaper than Western Europe
- Many English-speaking dentists
- Wide availability

**Sample prices**:
- Cleaning: €30-50
- Filling: €40-80
- Crown: €200-400
- Implant: €500-1,000

## Health Insurance

### Options for Expats

**1. Hungarian Public System**
- Through employment (mandatory contribution)
- Voluntary contribution (~€50/month)
- Access to public system

**2. Private Hungarian Insurance**
- Medicover, Signal, Allianz
- €50-200/month
- Private care access

**3. International Insurance**
- Cigna Global, Allianz Worldwide
- €100-400/month
- Worldwide coverage
- Best for mobile expats

**4. Travel Insurance**
- Short-term option
- Emergency coverage only
- Not for residents

### Choosing Insurance

**Consider**:
- Length of stay
- Existing conditions
- Family needs
- Work requirements
- Budget
- Desire for English services

**Recommended for expats**:
- Private insurance with private hospital access
- Or international insurance if mobile

## Pharmacies (Gyógyszertár)

### Finding Pharmacies

- Green cross signs
- Every neighborhood has several
- Chains: BENU, Rossmann (limited)

### Hours

- **Typical**: 8am-6pm weekdays
- **Some**: Open Saturdays
- **24-hour**: Several in center

**24-hour pharmacies**:
- Teréz Gyógyszertár (VI, Teréz körút)
- Others rotate — check online

### What to Know

- **Prescription**: Required for many meds
- **OTC**: Basic painkillers, cold meds available
- **Pharmacist**: Can advise on minor issues
- **English**: Variable, often some
- **Prices**: Lower than Western Europe

### Common Medications

| Type | Brand Examples |
|------|----------------|
| Pain/fever | Algopyrin, Coldrex |
| Cold/flu | Coldrex, Neo Citran |
| Allergy | Clarityn, Allegra |
| Digestive | Maalox, Rennie |
| Vitamins | Various available |

## Emergency Care

### Emergency Numbers

| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| Emergency (all) | 112 |
| Ambulance | 104 |

### Emergency Rooms

**Major hospitals with 24/7 emergency**:
- Szent János Kórház (XII)
- Péterfy Kórház (VII)
- Szent István Kórház (IX)
- Honvéd Kórház (XIII)

**Private emergency**:
- FirstMed (limited hours)
- SOS International

### What to Expect

**Public ER**:
- Triage system
- Long waits for non-urgent
- Limited English
- Free for TAJ holders

**Private ER**:
- Faster service
- English available
- Pay or insurance

## Specific Health Needs

### Mental Health

**Public**: Available but limited, Hungarian language
**Private**: English-speaking therapists available
- International clinics have counselors
- Growing awareness and availability

**Resources**:
- Kék Vonal (help line)
- International therapist directories

### Women's Health

**Gynecology**: Good private options
**Prenatal**: Quality care available
**Private options**: Popular for expats
**Maternity leave**: Generous by law

### Children's Health

**Pediatricians**: Háziorvos for children or specialists
**Private**: FirstMed, Medicover have pediatrics
**Vaccinations**: Hungarian schedule, can continue foreign
**Children's hospitals**: Heim Pál, others

### Chronic Conditions

**Management**:
- Find specialist early
- Consider private for continuity
- Medication availability generally good
- Bring documentation from home

## Medical Tourism

Budapest is a destination for:
- Dental care (major)
- Eye surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
- Thermal treatments

### Why

- Quality care
- Lower prices
- English availability
- Combined with tourism

### Considerations

- Research providers thoroughly
- Check accreditations
- Plan recovery time
- Have aftercare plans

## Thermal/Wellness Healthcare

Unique to Hungary — thermal baths as medical treatment:

**Medical thermal treatments**:
- Prescribed by doctors
- Insurance may cover
- For rheumatic conditions, rehabilitation
- Specific therapeutic baths

**Wellness distinction**:
- General baths = wellness
- Prescribed treatments = medical
- Different facilities for each

## Practical Health Tips

### Before Coming

- Get travel insurance
- Bring prescription documentation
- Carry extra medication
- Get EHIC if EU citizen
- Research providers

### On Arrival

- Register with GP (if long-term)
- Find nearest pharmacy
- Locate emergency services
- Set up insurance

### Staying Healthy

- Tap water safe
- Food hygiene good
- Air quality: Moderate (seasonal issues)
- Summer: Stay hydrated
- Winter: Vitamin D helpful

### Documentation

Keep records of:
- Vaccinations
- Chronic conditions
- Current medications
- Insurance details
- Doctor contacts

## Useful Resources

### Apps/Websites
- EESZT (Hungarian health records online)
- FirstMed app (booking)
- Medicover app (booking)
- 24-hour pharmacy locator apps

### Help Lines
- 112: General emergency
- 104: Ambulance
- English-speaking help available at private clinics


path: lifestyle.md
content: # Budapest Lifestyle Guide

## Quality of Life

Budapest consistently ranks high for quality of life, especially value-adjusted:
- Affordable compared to Western Europe
- Excellent cultural offerings
- Good healthcare access
- Safe city
- Beautiful environment

## Daily Life

### Typical Expat Day

**Morning**:
- Coffee at local café or home
- Commute by public transit (15-30 min typical)
- Many walk or bike in central areas

**Work**:
- Standard 8am-5pm
- Lunch break culture (1 hour common)
- Increasing flexibility/remote

**Evening**:
- Social gatherings common
- Restaurant scene vibrant
- Cultural events plentiful
- Gym/wellness activities

**Weekend**:
- Brunch culture growing
- Thermal baths
- Day trips
- Market visits

### Work-Life Balance

- Improving but traditional in some sectors
- International companies more flexible
- 20+ vacation days standard
- Remote work more accepted post-COVID

## Social Life

### Meeting People

**Expat Community**:
- Large and active
- Facebook groups (Expats in Budapest)
- InterNations events
- Embassy social events
- Easy to connect

**Locals**:
- Takes more time
- Work relationships
- Activity-based (sports, hobbies)
- Language helps enormously
- Very loyal once friends

### Social Activities

**Popular expat activities**:
- Running clubs
- Board game groups
- Language exchanges
- Book clubs
- Sports teams
- Professional networking

**Hungarian activities**:
- Thermal baths (social element)
- Outdoor activities
- Cultural events
- Food and wine

### Dating

- Apps work (Tinder, Bumble)
- Expat-expat common
- Expat-local requires effort
- Social circle introductions
- English helpful, Hungarian appreciated

## Recreation

### Sports & Fitness

**Gyms**:
- Budget: ~€25-40/month
- Premium: €50-100/month
- Chains: LifeFitness, Fitness Force

**Running**:
- Margaret Island (car-free, popular)
- Danube embankment
- City Park
- Running clubs active

**Swimming**:
- Many pools (thermal and regular)
- Competitive swimming strong
- Palatinus (summer), indoor options

**Team sports**:
- Football (most popular)
- Volleyball, basketball
- Ultimate frisbee (expat popular)
- Water polo (Hungarian specialty)

### Outdoor Activities

**In the city**:
- Parks (City Park, Margaret Island)
- Danube promenades
- Gellért Hill

**Near the city**:
- Buda Hills (hiking, biking)
- Szentendre (day trips)
- Lake Balaton (1.5 hours)

**Winter**:
- Ice skating (City Park)
- Skiing (mountains 2-3 hours)
- Thermal baths year-round

### Arts & Culture

**Classical**:
- Opera House (affordable, excellent)
- Palace of Arts (MÜPA) (world-class)
- Budapest Festival Orchestra
- Many concerts

**Contemporary**:
- Ruin bar culture
- Gallery scene
- Contemporary art museums
- Live music venues

**Film**:
- Cinema culture strong
- Original language screenings common
- Art house cinemas
- Film festivals

## Shopping

### Fashion

**High street**:
- Fashion Street (Deák tér area)
- Váci utca (tourist)
- Andrássy út (luxury)
- Malls (Westend, Arena)

**Local designers**:
- Growing scene
- Paloma concept store
- Various boutiques
- Fashion week exists

### Home & Design

**IKEA**: Soroksár (edge of city)
**Local furniture**: Various, some excellent design
**Markets**: Flea markets for vintage

### Food Shopping

See `food-overview.md` for market details.

- Supermarkets everywhere
- Markets for produce
- Specialty shops
- Growing organic scene

## Wellness

### Thermal Baths

See `thermal.md` for complete guide.

Essential Budapest experience:
- Regular visits recommended
- Social activity
- Health benefits
- Year-round accessible

### Spa & Wellness

Beyond thermal baths:
- Day spas
- Massage (affordable)
- Yoga studios (many)
- Pilates, fitness
- Meditation groups

### Mental Health

- Therapists available (English-speaking)
- Counseling services
- Growing awareness
- International clinics have resources

## Expat Community

### Groups & Resources

**Online**:
- Facebook: Expats in Budapest (largest)
- Facebook: Various national groups
- Reddit: r/budapest
- Forums: Various

**In-person**:
- InterNations events
- Embassy events
- Professional associations
- Special interest groups

### Common Expat Profiles

- Corporate transfers (short-term)
- Digital nomads (medium-term)
- Students (fixed)
- Entrepreneurs (variable)
- Lifestyle movers (long-term)
- Retirees (growing)

### Integration Levels

**Bubble expat**: Mostly English, international friends
**Integrated expat**: Mix of local and international, some Hungarian
**Full integration**: Hungarian language, local life

Most fall somewhere in between, and that's fine.

## Family Life

### With Children

**Positives**:
- Safe city
- Good schools (international)
- Parks and playgrounds
- Affordable activities
- Family-friendly culture

**Challenges**:
- Hungarian language
- Bureaucracy
- Some attitudes more traditional

### Childcare

- Nurseries available
- Nannies common (affordable)
- Grandparent culture strong (for locals)
- Expat parent networks helpful

### Family Activities

- Zoo (Budapest Zoo)
- Playgrounds (many, good quality)
- Margaret Island
- Aquaworld (waterpark)
- Tropicarium
- Children's Railway (Buda Hills)
- Museum programs

## Pets

### Dog-Friendly

- Many dogs in Budapest
- Parks generally allow dogs
- Some restaurants pet-friendly
- Dog parks exist

### Practicalities

- Vets plentiful, good quality
- Pet shops everywhere
- Dog walking services available
- Registration required

### Restrictions

- Some buildings prohibit
- Public transit: Small pets okay
- Some parks have restrictions

## Seasonal Living

### Summer

- City empties somewhat
- Outdoor everything
- Balaton weekends
- Heat can be intense
- AC essential in apartments

### Winter

- Can be gray and cold
- Thermal baths essential
- Christmas markets magical
- Indoor activities focus
- SAD/winter blues common

### Best Months

- May-June: Beautiful weather
- September: Still warm, city returns
- December: Christmas atmosphere

## Cost of Living Reality

### Compared to Home

For Western expats:
- Rent: 50-70% cheaper
- Dining: 50% cheaper
- Groceries: 30% cheaper
- Salaries: Also lower (but often company packages compensate)

### Lifestyle Upgrade

Many expats find they can:
- Afford better apartment
- Dine out more
- Attend cultural events
- Save more (especially if remote salary)

### Lifestyle Downgrade

Some find:
- Professional opportunities fewer
- Career growth limited
- Salary reduced if local contract
- Some Western conveniences harder to find

## Common Challenges

### Bureaucracy

- Can be frustrating
- Hungarian documents
- Multiple offices
- Solutions: Patience, help, sometimes lawyers

### Language

- Hungarian is hard
- Progress slow
- English sufficient in bubble
- Integration requires effort

### Weather

- Winters long, gray
- Summer heat
- Adjustment takes time

### Career

- Less options than London/Berlin
- Advancement can be limited
- Consider remote work
- Or entrepreneurship

### Missing Home

- Normal expat experience
- Build community
- Visit home regularly
- Embrace new home

## Making It Work

### First Year

- Focus on settling
- Build social circle
- Explore the city
- Learn some Hungarian
- Join activities

### Long-Term

- Consider language seriously
- Integrate more with locals
- Make it home
- Regular home visits
- Build life here, not temporary

### Signs It's Working

- You have local friends
- You navigate without stress
- You have favorite spots
- It feels like home
- You'd recommend it to others


path: local.md
content: # Local Services in Budapest

## Banking & Money

### Opening a Bank Account

**Major Banks**:
- OTP Bank (largest Hungarian)
- Erste Bank
- K&H Bank
- Raiffeisen
- CIB Bank

**Requirements (typical)**:
- Passport
- Residence permit (for non-EU)
- Hungarian address proof
- Tax ID (adószám)
- Initial deposit (varies)

**Timeline**: Same day to 1 week
**Language**: Some English, varies by branch

### Digital Banking Alternatives

**Wise** (Recommended for expats)
- No Hungarian address needed
- Multi-currency
- Best exchange rates
- Instant setup

**Revolut**
- Similar to Wise
- Good for daily spending
- EU IBAN available

**N26**
- German digital bank
- Works in Hungary
- EU IBAN

### ATMs

- **Use bank ATMs** (OTP, Erste, K&H)
- **Avoid standalone machines** (high fees)
- **Decline conversion** (always choose HUF)
- **Daily limits**: Typically 150,000-300,000 HUF
- **Cards**: Visa/Mastercard universal

### Currency Exchange

**Best options** (in order):
1. Wise/Revolut card (best rates)
2. Bank ATM withdrawal
3. Correct Exchange (fair rates)
4. Bank exchange (okay rates)

**Avoid**:
- Airport exchanges (terrible rates)
- Tourist area exchanges
- Street exchangers (illegal)

## Mobile & Internet

### Mobile Operators

| Provider | Network | Notes |
|----------|---------|-------|
| Telekom | Best coverage | Most expensive |
| Vodafone | Good coverage | Mid-price |
| Yettel | Good coverage | Budget options |

### Prepaid SIM

**Where to buy**:
- Airport arrivals
- Provider shops (mall, city)
- Some electronics stores

**What you need**:
- Passport
- ~3,000-10,000 HUF for starter pack

**Typical packages**:
- ~5,000 HUF: 10GB data + calls for month
- Top-up at newsagents, online

### Contract (Postpaid)

**Requirements**:
- Hungarian address
- ID/passport
- Sometimes bank account
- 1-2 year commitment typical

**Better rates** but harder to exit

### Home Internet

**Providers**:
- Telekom
- Digi (cheapest, decent)
- Vodafone
- UPC/Vodafone

**Speeds**: 100Mbps-1Gbps available
**Cost**: €15-40/month
**Installation**: 1-2 weeks

**Note**: Fiber widespread in Budapest, good connectivity.

## Mail & Shipping

### Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post)

- Yellow branding
- Post offices in every district
- Opening hours: Usually 8am-6pm (varies)
- Saturdays: Limited
- Tracking: Available for packages

### Package Delivery

**Local delivery**:
- GLS (common for e-commerce)
- DPD
- FoxPost (locker pickup)
- Packeta (locker pickup)

**International**:
- DHL
- FedEx
- UPS
- PostNL

**Tip**: Locker pickup (FoxPost, Packeta) avoids delivery wait

### Receiving Mail

- No mailbox? Use neighbor or office
- Large packages: Often delivered to post office
- Some buildings have package lockers

## Utilities Setup

### Moving into Apartment

Check with landlord who handles:
- Electricity (usually in landlord's name)
- Gas (usually in landlord's name)
- Water (building common cost)
- Internet (you can set up own)

### Utility Providers

**Electricity**:
- MVM (state)
- E.ON
- Various suppliers

**Gas**:
- MVM
- E.ON
- Various suppliers

**Water**:
- Fővárosi Vízművek (Budapest Water)
- Usually included in közös költség (common cost)

### Bills

- Monthly or bi-monthly
- Pay online, at post office, or bank
- **Csekk**: Yellow payment slip, can pay at Posta

## Government Services

### Residence & Immigration

**Immigration Office (OIF)**:
- Budafoki út 60 (main office)
- Book appointments online
- English limited, bring translator
- Long waits possible

### Tax (NAV)

**Tax Authority**:
- Online system available
- English info limited
- Tax advisors common for expats

### Address Registration

**Okmányiroda** (Document Office):
- For official address registration
- Required for many services
- Appointment system

## Healthcare Access

### Public Healthcare

**Access requires**:
- TAJ number (social security)
- Paying into Hungarian system
- Employment or voluntary contribution

### Private Healthcare

**Major providers**:
- FirstMed (English-speaking)
- Medicover
- Dr. Rose Private Hospital
- SOS International

**Without insurance**:
- GP visit: €30-60
- Specialist: €50-100
- Blood tests: €30-100

### Pharmacies (Gyógyszertár)

- **Opening hours**: 8am-6pm typical
- **24-hour pharmacies**: Several in center
- **Prescription**: Many meds require it
- **OTC**: Painkillers, cold meds available

### Dentists

- Quality care, affordable
- Many speak English
- Tourism for dental work common
- Prices 50-70% of Western Europe

## Shopping

### Supermarkets

**Budget**:
- Lidl (German chain, good quality)
- Aldi (German chain)
- Penny

**Mid-range**:
- Spar
- CBA
- Coop

**Premium**:
- Interspar (larger Spar)
- Tesco (diminishing presence)
- Bio/organic shops

### Shopping Hours

**Typical**:
- Monday-Saturday: 6am-10pm
- Sunday: CLOSED (law)

**Exceptions**:
- Small shops (<200m²)
- Malls some areas
- Gas stations

**Sunday closures**: Major adjustment for expats

### Markets

**Traditional markets**:
- Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) — tourist but real
- Lehel tér — local, good
- Hold Street Market — trendy
- Rákóczi tér — authentic

### Malls

- Westend (largest, by Nyugati)
- Arena Mall (by Keleti)
- Allee (south Buda)
- Mammut (Buda)

## Household Services

### Finding Services

**Online platforms**:
- Jófogás (Hungarian Craigslist)
- Facebook groups
- Budapest Expat Community groups
- Word of mouth

### Common Needs

**Cleaning**:
- €10-15/hour typical
- Regular cleaners findable
- Agency vs. individual

**Repairs/Handyman**:
- Landlord often handles
- Independent: €20-40/hour
- Quality varies, get recommendations

**Movers**:
- Budget: €100-200 (small move)
- Full service: €300-500+
- Tips expected

## Emergency Services

### Key Contacts

| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| Emergency | 112 |
| Ambulance | 104 |
| Police | 107 |
| Fire | 105 |

### 24-Hour Services

- **Pharmacies**: Several in center
- **Hospitals**: Emergency rooms open
- **Locksmith**: Various, search online
- **Plumber/Electrical**: Emergency services exist

## Expat Resources

### Community Groups

- **Facebook**: "Expats in Budapest" (largest)
- **InterNations**: Events, networking
- **Meetup**: Various interest groups
- **Embassy events**: Cultural programming

### Language Learning

- **Hungarian courses**: Budapest languages, Katedra
- **Tandem apps**: HelloTalk, Tandem
- **Private tutors**: €15-30/hour

### Coworking

- **Kaptar**: Popular, multiple locations
- **Impact Hub**: Social enterprise focus
- **Mosaik**: Design-focused
- **Loffice**: Various spaces

### Kids/Families

- **International schools**: Listed in education guide
- **Playgroups**: English-speaking exist
- **Parks**: Many, well-maintained
- **Family activities**: Plentiful


path: neighborhoods-buda.md
content: # Buda Neighborhoods

## Why Buda?

Pest gets the attention, but Buda offers:
- **Space**: Bigger apartments, gardens possible
- **Nature**: Hills, forests, trails from doorstep
- **Quiet**: Residential without party noise
- **Quality**: Generally better-maintained buildings
- **Air**: Noticeably cleaner than central Pest

Trade-offs:
- Fewer restaurants/bars/cultural venues
- Commute to Pest for nightlife/events
- More car-oriented (though transit exists)

---

## District I (Vár/Castle District)

### Overview
The UNESCO Castle District. Historic, prestigious, tourist-heavy during day.

**Size**: Small
**Population**: ~25,000
**Vibe**: Historic luxury, quiet nights

### Areas

**Castle Hill**
- Inside the walls
- Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church
- Very few apartments (mostly museums, government)
- Extremely exclusive if available

**Víziváros (Watertown)**
- Between Castle and river
- More residential
- Batthyány tér transit hub
- Historic buildings, good restaurants

**Tabán**
- Southern slopes
- Parks and thermal baths
- Quiet residential

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Stunning historic setting
- Very safe
- Tourist-free at night
- Walking distance to Pest (over bridges)
- Prestige address

**Cons**
- Expensive
- Limited dining/grocery
- Uphill everything
- Tourists during day
- Far from nightlife

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €700-1,200/month |
| Grocery | Very limited, Víziváros better |
| Dining | Few options, mostly tourist-priced |
| Nightlife | Non-existent |
| Metro | M2 at Batthyány tér |
| Green space | Castle gardens, Tabán park |

### Best For
- History lovers
- Wealthy retirees
- Diplomats/government
- Those wanting prestige address

---

## District II (Rózsadomb & surrounds)

### Overview
The classic "expat district." Hills with views, international schools, embassies, money.

**Size**: Large
**Population**: ~90,000
**Vibe**: Wealthy residential, family-oriented, green

### Areas

**Rózsadomb (Rose Hill)**
- Premier residential area
- Villas with Danube views
- Ambassadors, executives
- Top-end prices

**Pasarét**
- Family neighborhood
- Near Millenáris Park
- Good schools
- Upper-middle class

**Hűvösvölgy**
- At edge of Buda Hills
- Nature lovers
- Can feel isolated
- Mix of old villas and communist blocks

**Margit körút area**
- Most urban part of II
- Near Margit Bridge
- Better transit
- More affordable

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Safe, clean, green
- International schools
- Nature access (trails in hills)
- Views possible
- Quiet family life

**Cons**
- Expensive
- Need car for full benefit
- Limited nightlife
- Far from "action"
- Can feel boring

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €600-1,000/month |
| Family 3BR | €1,200-2,500/month |
| Grocery | Good supermarkets |
| Dining | Good but not abundant |
| Nightlife | Sparse |
| Transit | Trams + buses, no metro |
| Green space | Excellent (hills, parks) |

### Best For
- Families with children
- People with cars
- Those wanting space and quiet
- International school seekers

---

## District XI (Újbuda)

### Overview
Large district, very varied. Student areas, family zones, communist-era blocks, modern developments.

**Size**: Huge
**Population**: ~140,000
**Vibe**: Mixed, from student to residential

### Areas

**Gellért area**
- Near Gellért Bath and bridge
- Urban, some tourism
- Good restaurants
- Transit excellent

**Móricz Zsigmond körtér**
- Hub area, lively
- Student population (near university)
- Shops, restaurants, cinemas

**Bartók Béla út**
- Main commercial street
- Good amenities
- Affordable for quality
- Tram connections

**Kelenföld**
- Outer, mixed blocks and new builds
- M4 metro terminus
- More affordable
- Less character

**Sasad, Sashegy**
- Hills approaching XII
- Villas, quieter
- More upscale

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Very varied options
- Generally affordable
- Good transit (trams, M4)
- Student energy in parts
- Near universities (ELTE, BME)

**Cons**
- Large district = varies hugely
- Some areas tired/ugly
- Communist blocks common
- Not central

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €500-800/month |
| Grocery | Excellent (big stores) |
| Dining | Good variety |
| Nightlife | Some, more local |
| Transit | M4, trams excellent |
| Green space | Good in hills |

### Best For
- Students
- Young families
- Budget-conscious wanting quality
- Those who don't need central Pest

---

## District XII (Hegyvidék)

### Overview
The "Beverly Hills" of Budapest. Exclusive hills, villas, forest access.

**Size**: Medium
**Population**: ~55,000
**Vibe**: Wealthy, quiet, green, slightly suburban

### Areas

**Városmajor**
- Near Széll Kálmán tér
- Most connected part
- Parks, good schools

**Normafa**
- Popular hiking destination
- Mix of villas and nature
- Higher up, more isolated
- Weekend destination for whole city

**Istenhegy, Mártonhegy**
- Residential hills
- Large properties
- Very quiet
- Need car

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Beautiful natural setting
- Safe, clean, quiet
- Good schools
- Fresh air, trails
- Prestigious address

**Cons**
- Need car (mostly)
- Far from nightlife
- Limited dining
- Can feel isolated
- Winter driving tricky (hills)

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €700-1,200/month |
| Family house | €2,000-5,000+/month |
| Grocery | Less convenient |
| Dining | Few but good |
| Nightlife | None |
| Transit | Cogwheel railway, buses |
| Green space | Forest all around |

### Best For
- Wealthy families
- Nature lovers with cars
- Those seeking escape from urban
- Hikers/outdoor people

---

## Buda Comparison

| Factor | I | II | XI | XII |
|--------|---|----|----|-----|
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$$ |
| Transit | OK | Weak | Good | Weak |
| Nature | Gardens | Good | Some | Excellent |
| Families | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Young people | No | No | Yes | No |
| Character | Historic | Expat | Varied | Exclusive |

### Decision Framework

**Choose I if**: Historic setting, money no object, near bridges to Pest
**Choose II if**: Family with kids, want expat community, international schools
**Choose XI if**: Balance of affordability and quality, good transit needed
**Choose XII if**: Money for quiet villa life, car owner, nature essential


path: neighborhoods-center.md
content: # Central Pest Neighborhoods

## District V (Belváros-Lipótváros)

### Overview
The absolute center. Parliament, Chain Bridge, St. Stephen's Basilica, Vörösmarty Square.

**Size**: Small but dense
**Population**: ~25,000
**Vibe**: Tourist central, business, upscale

### Sub-Areas

**Belváros (Inner City)**
- South of Erzsébet tér
- Váci Street shopping
- Great Market Hall nearby
- More tourist-oriented

**Lipótváros (Leopold Town)**
- North around Parliament
- Business district feel
- Government buildings
- More residential pockets

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Walk everywhere in center
- Beautiful architecture everywhere
- Very safe
- Best restaurants at doorstep
- Good for business people

**Cons**
- Highest prices
- Tourist crowds daily
- Limited grocery options (small shops)
- Can feel sterile/not "real" Budapest
- Parking impossible

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €700-1,200/month |
| Grocery | Sparse, small shops |
| Dining | Everything, all prices |
| Nightlife | Upscale bars, few clubs |
| Metro | M1, M2, M3 all accessible |
| Green space | Limited, Szabadság tér |

### Best For
- Short-term visitors wanting walkability
- Business travelers
- People who work from fancy cafés
- Those who value location over space/value

### Avoid If
- Budget-conscious
- Want local neighborhood feel
- Need car/parking
- Want quiet residential streets

---

## District VI (Terézváros)

### Overview
The "sweet spot" district. Andrássy Avenue (UNESCO), Opera, lively but livable.

**Size**: Medium
**Population**: ~40,000
**Vibe**: Cosmopolitan, mix of old grandeur and modern life

### Sub-Areas

**Opera Area**
- Around the State Opera House
- Grand buildings, some crumbling
- Good cafés and restaurants

**Andrássy út corridor**
- UNESCO World Heritage boulevard
- Embassy row, upscale
- M1 metro beneath

**Nagymező utca ("Broadway")**
- Theater district
- Entertainment venues
- Lively at night

**Terézváros residential**
- Between Andrássy and Király
- Mix of quality, some tired blocks
- Better value than V

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Central but not tourist-overrun
- Excellent restaurants
- Good architecture
- Strong café culture
- Metro + tram access

**Cons**
- Still not cheap
- Some noisy streets
- Building quality varies
- Limited parking

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €550-900/month |
| Grocery | Spar, CBA, some markets |
| Dining | Excellent variety |
| Nightlife | Bars, theaters, nearby VII |
| Metro | M1 (yellow line) |
| Green space | Limited |

### Best For
- Young professionals
- People who want balance
- Culture lovers (Opera, galleries)
- First-time expats to Budapest

### Avoid If
- Need lots of green space
- Very budget-conscious
- Want cutting-edge/hipster scene

---

## District VII (Erzsébetváros)

### Overview
The "Jewish Quarter" and ruin bar capital. Young, edgy, energetic. Budapest's Brooklyn.

**Size**: Small-medium
**Population**: ~60,000
**Vibe**: Party, alternative, tourist + local mix

### Sub-Areas

**Jewish Quarter (core)**
- Around Dohány Synagogue
- Dense ruin bar zone
- Historic but heavily gentrified

**Kazinczy utca area**
- Epicenter of nightlife
- Szimpla Kert and satellites
- Street food, bars everywhere

**Outer VII**
- More residential
- Still edgy but quieter
- Better value
- Some sketchy blocks

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Incredible atmosphere
- Cheap eats everywhere
- Social scene automatic
- Never bored
- Art, music, events

**Cons**
- LOUD at weekends
- Tourist crowds
- Some streets dirty
- Stag party hell (weekends)
- Can't sleep with windows open

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €500-850/month |
| Grocery | Good coverage, markets |
| Dining | Everything, esp. casual |
| Nightlife | Overwhelming options |
| Metro | M2 (Blaha), good trams |
| Green space | Very limited |

### Noise Warning
Living on Kazinczy, Akácfa, or adjacent streets = noise until 4am Thu-Sat. Courtyards quieter but not immune. Insist on viewing at night before signing.

### Best For
- Young people (20s-30s)
- Night owls
- Creatives
- Short-term stays
- People who need social scene

### Avoid If
- Light sleeper
- Have kids
- Work early mornings
- Want peace and quiet
- Dislike tourists

---

## Comparison: V vs VI vs VII

| Factor | District V | District VI | District VII |
|--------|-----------|-------------|--------------|
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Tourists | Very high | Medium | High (ruin bars) |
| Noise | Low | Medium | Very high |
| Character | Polished | Balanced | Edgy |
| Dining | Upscale | Varied | Cheap/hip |
| Transit | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| For remote work | Hotel lobbies | Cafés | Coworking |
| Living feel | Tourist | Neighborhood | Party |

### Decision Framework

**Choose V if**: Money not issue, walkability priority, business purposes
**Choose VI if**: Want balance, good value/location ratio, first-timer
**Choose VII if**: Young, social, want action, don't mind noise

### Where They Overlap

- VI-VII border (around Király utca) = best of both
- V-VI border (near Basilica) = upscale but livable
- VII outer = edgy without worst noise


path: neighborhoods-choosing.md
content: # Choosing Your Budapest Neighborhood

## Decision Framework

### Step 1: Identify Your Profile

**Young professional (single/couple)**
- Priority: Social scene, walkable, cafés
- Budget: €500-900
- Best: VI, VII, IX

**Family with children**
- Priority: Safety, schools, green space
- Budget: €700-1,500
- Best: II, XI, XII, XIV

**Digital nomad**
- Priority: Cafés, coworking, social
- Budget: €400-700
- Best: VII, VI, VIII

**Student**
- Priority: Cheap, near university, social
- Budget: €300-500
- Best: VIII, IX, XI

**Retiree**
- Priority: Quiet, safe, services
- Budget: Varies
- Best: II, XII, I

**Budget-conscious**
- Priority: Value for money
- Budget: <€500
- Best: VIII, IX, outer districts

### Step 2: Rank Your Priorities

Rate 1-5 importance:

| Factor | Your Score |
|--------|------------|
| Nightlife access | ___ |
| Quiet/peace | ___ |
| Green space | ___ |
| Transit access | ___ |
| Walking distance to center | ___ |
| International community | ___ |
| Budget savings | ___ |
| Safety perception | ___ |
| Character/charm | ___ |
| Modern apartment | ___ |

**If nightlife high**: VII, VI, IX
**If quiet high**: II, XII, I
**If green space high**: II, XII, XIV, XI (hills)
**If transit high**: V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XIII
**If budget high**: VIII, outer districts

### Step 3: Set Hard Constraints

**Must-haves (eliminators):**
- Max commute time: ___ minutes
- Max rent: €___/month
- Need car parking: Y/N
- Need international schools: Y/N
- Must be metro-accessible: Y/N
- Can't handle noise: Y/N

### Step 4: Test the Shortlist

Before deciding:
1. **Walk around** at different times (morning, evening, weekend)
2. **Eat there** — restaurant quality indicates neighborhood investment
3. **Check transit** — actually ride from there to where you'd go
4. **View apartments** — building quality varies hugely
5. **Night test** — if noise-sensitive, visit 10pm Friday

## Common Trade-offs

### Central vs Space
- **V, VI, VII**: Smaller apartments, walkable everything
- **II, XII, XIV**: Bigger spaces, need transit/car

### Character vs Modern
- **I, VII, VIII**: Historic buildings (charm + maintenance issues)
- **XIII, new builds**: Modern (less charm, better condition)

### Expat Bubble vs Integration
- **II, V, VI**: Many English speakers, international services
- **VIII, IX, XI**: More Hungarian, better for language learning

### Price vs Location
- **V-VII**: Pay premium for walkability
- **VIII, IX, XIII**: Better value, still accessible

## Neighborhood Matching Matrix

| Your Profile | Primary | Secondary | Avoid |
|--------------|---------|-----------|-------|
| Young + social | VII | VI, IX | XII, II |
| Family + kids | II | XII, XIV | VII, VIII |
| Budget + edge | VIII | IX, XV | V, I |
| Remote worker | VI | VII, XIII | XII |
| Student | VIII | IX, XI | V, I, II |
| Nature lover | XII | II, XI | VII, VIII |
| Nightlife needed | VII | VI | All Buda |
| Quiet essential | XII | II, I | VII |
| Transit dependent | V-IX | XIII | XII, outer |

## Month-by-Month Rental Strategy

### Best Times to Search
- **September**: Students flood market (compete for cheap)
- **January-February**: Low demand, negotiate
- **May-June**: Good selection, moderate prices

### Lease Negotiation
- Ask for 6-month first (then renew)
- Negotiate on longer terms
- Utility costs matter (ask about heating)
- Furnished vs unfurnished affects price 30%

## Red Flags When Apartment Hunting

### Building
- Water stains on ceilings
- Smell of mold/damp
- No central heating radiators
- Very old wiring
- No elevator in 4+ floor building

### Location
- Too good to be true price
- "Quiet" on main road
- Far from any transit
- Ground floor without security

### Landlord
- Wants cash only
- No contract
- Vague about utilities
- Can't provide proof of ownership
- Rushes you

## Final Checklist

Before signing:
- [ ] Visited neighborhood different times
- [ ] Checked transit to work/common destinations
- [ ] Verified supermarket access
- [ ] Asked about heating costs (huge in winter)
- [ ] Understood utility split (common vs individual)
- [ ] Checked parking (if needed)
- [ ] Viewed apartment at night (noise)
- [ ] Met landlord/agency in person
- [ ] Read contract carefully
- [ ] Photographed current condition


path: neighborhoods-index.md
content: # Budapest Neighborhoods — Quick Guide

## Understanding Budapest Geography

Budapest = Buda + Pest, merged in 1873

**Danube River** divides the city:
- **BUDA (West)**: Hilly, residential, quieter, older money
- **PEST (East)**: Flat, vibrant, most attractions, nightlife, business

**District System**: 23 districts (kerület), numbered I-XXIII
- Lower numbers generally = more central
- District V (center) most expensive
- Each district has distinct character

## Quick Comparison Table

| District | Side | Vibe | Rent (1BR) | Best For |
|----------|------|------|------------|----------|
| I | Buda | Historic, quiet | €700-1,200 | Castle living |
| II | Buda | Family, green | €600-1,000 | Families, nature |
| V | Pest | Premium central | €700-1,200 | Location |
| VI | Pest | Cosmopolitan | €550-900 | Professionals |
| VII | Pest | Party, edgy | €500-850 | Nightlife |
| VIII | Pest | Gentrifying | €400-700 | Budget, authentic |
| IX | Pest | University, up-coming | €450-750 | Students, culture |
| XI | Buda | Student, residential | €500-800 | University, families |
| XII | Buda | Wealthy hills | €700-1,200 | Quiet luxury |
| XIII | Pest | Modern, riverside | €550-900 | Professionals |
| XIV | Pest | City Park area | €500-800 | Families |

## Transit Access Ranking

**Excellent** (Multiple metro lines, central)
- District V, VI, VII, VIII (center)

**Very Good** (1-2 metro lines + trams)
- District IX, XIII, XIV

**Good** (Trams/buses, some metro)
- District I, II, XI

**Moderate** (Buses, some trams)
- District XII (but compensated by car ownership)

**Limited** (Mostly buses)
- Outer districts (XV-XXIII)

## Expat Hotspots

### Most Popular with Expats
1. **District VI** — Balanced, good for professionals
2. **District VII** — Young, social, nightlife-adjacent
3. **District V** — Premium, walkable everywhere
4. **District II** — Families wanting space
5. **District XIII** — Modern apartments, riverside

### Digital Nomad Favorites
1. **District VII** — Cafés, coworking, social scene
2. **District VI** — Good balance, coffee culture
3. **District V** — Everything walkable
4. **District VIII** — Cheap, increasingly cool

### Families
1. **District II** — International schools, parks
2. **District XII** — Safe, green, good schools
3. **District XIV** — City Park, playgrounds
4. **District XI** — Near universities, affordable

## Price Guide (2026)

### Rent Ranges (1BR apartment)

| Category | Monthly (HUF) | Monthly (EUR) |
|----------|---------------|---------------|
| Premium | 350,000-500,000 | €900-1,300 |
| Mid-range | 200,000-350,000 | €500-900 |
| Budget | 120,000-200,000 | €300-500 |
| Bargain | 80,000-120,000 | €200-300 |

**Premium areas**: V, I, XII (Buda hills)
**Mid-range**: VI, VII, II, XI, XIII
**Budget-friendly**: VIII, IX, XIV
**Outer**: XV-XXIII (much cheaper but far)

## Lifestyle Match

### "I want everything walkable"
→ **District V or VI**

### "I want nightlife on my doorstep"
→ **District VII**

### "I want quiet with nature access"
→ **District II or XII** (Buda hills)

### "I want cheap but interesting"
→ **District VIII**

### "I want modern apartment, good transit"
→ **District XIII**

### "I want family-friendly with parks"
→ **District II, XI, or XIV**

### "I want authentic local neighborhood"
→ **District IX** (Ferencváros, gentrifying)

## Common Mistakes

### Tourists Moving Here
- **District V overrated**: Great to visit, expensive to live
- **District VII noise**: Amazing for 3 days, exhausting for 3 months
- **Ignoring Buda**: Less "action" but often better quality of life

### Remote Workers
- **Café-hopping District VII**: Gets old fast, find coworking
- **Only considering Pest**: Buda has excellent internet + quiet
- **Underestimating commute**: Budapest is spread out

### Families
- **Central Pest with kids**: Noise, limited green space
- **Ignoring District XI/XIV**: Underrated family zones
- **Car assumption**: Transit excellent with kids

## District Deep Dives

Detailed guides available:
- `neighborhoods-center.md` — Districts V, VI, VII
- `neighborhoods-buda.md` — Districts I, II, XI, XII
- `neighborhoods-pest.md` — Districts VIII, IX, XIII, XIV
- `neighborhoods-outer.md` — Districts XV-XXIII
- `neighborhoods-choosing.md` — Decision framework


path: neighborhoods-outer.md
content: # Outer Districts (XV-XXIII)

## Overview

These districts are generally:
- Cheaper (30-50% less than center)
- More residential/suburban
- Less character, more practical
- Better for families with cars
- Limited nightlife/culture

## Quick Summary

| District | Side | Character | Notes |
|----------|------|-----------|-------|
| XV | Pest | Residential | Near Örs, improving |
| XVI | Pest | Suburban | Family houses, gardens |
| XVII | Pest | Suburb | Rákosmente, far out |
| XVIII | Pest | Industrial | Pestszentlőrinc, cheap |
| XIX | Pest | Working class | Kispest, transit hub |
| XX | Pest | Industrial | Pesterzsébet, basic |
| XXI | Pest | Suburb | Csepel Island, isolated |
| XXII | Buda | Suburban | Budafok, wine history |
| XXIII | Pest | Edge | Soroksár, industrial |

## Worth Considering

### District XV (Rákospalota, Pestújhely)
- Near Örs vezér tere metro/HÉV hub
- Improving, some nice pockets
- Good for families on budget
- 30 min to center
- **Rent**: €300-500/month (1BR)

### District XVI (Árpádföld, Cinkota)
- Family houses with gardens
- Very suburban feel
- Near Hungaroring (F1 circuit)
- Need car
- **Rent**: €350-550/month (1BR)

### District XXI (Csepel)
- Island in Danube, south
- Isolated but interesting history
- Very affordable
- HÉV connection
- **Rent**: €250-400/month (1BR)

### District XXII (Budafok-Tétény)
- Buda side, south
- Historic wine cellars
- Some nice villa areas
- Near Danube bend
- **Rent**: €350-500/month (1BR)

## Generally Avoid

### Unless Very Budget-Conscious

**District XVIII, XIX, XX**
- Industrial/working-class character
- Less investment, less improving
- Safety perception issues
- Very far from center
- Limited appeal for expats

**District XVII, XXIII**
- Edge of city
- Poor transit
- No real character
- Only for very specific needs

## When Outer Districts Make Sense

**Consider if:**
- Family with car, need space/garden
- Very budget-constrained
- Work in that area
- Know Budapest well already
- Don't need nightlife/culture

**Avoid if:**
- New to Budapest
- No car
- Want walkable neighborhood
- Young and social
- Remote work requiring cafés/coworking

## Transit from Outer Districts

| District | Best Connection | Time to Center |
|----------|-----------------|----------------|
| XV | M3 Örs, HÉV | 25-35 min |
| XVI | Bus → Metro | 40-50 min |
| XVII | Bus → Metro | 45-60 min |
| XVIII | M3 | 30-40 min |
| XIX | M3 | 25-35 min |
| XX | Bus → Metro | 35-45 min |
| XXI | HÉV | 35-45 min |
| XXII | Tram → M4 | 40-50 min |
| XXIII | Bus → Metro | 45-60 min |

## Rental Comparison

| Central (V-VII) | Mid (VIII-XIV) | Outer (XV+) |
|-----------------|----------------|-------------|
| €600-1,000 | €450-700 | €250-500 |
| Walkable | Transit-dependent | Car helpful |
| Character | Mixed | Residential |
| Expat-friendly | Some | Rare |


path: neighborhoods-pest.md
content: # Outer Pest Neighborhoods

## District VIII (Józsefváros)

### Overview
The most "changing" district. Was rough, now rapidly gentrifying. Authentic Budapest.

**Size**: Medium
**Population**: ~80,000
**Vibe**: Edgy, diverse, improving, still raw in places

### Areas

**Palace Quarter (Palotanegyed)**
- Historic mansions, museums
- Heavily gentrified
- Almost as nice as VII now
- National Museum area

**Corvin Quarter**
- Modern development around cinema
- Mix of new builds and old
- Increasingly hipster

**Outer VIII (Józsefváros proper)**
- Still rough edges
- Roma community
- Cheaper but less safe
- Improving slowly

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Cheapest central option
- Authentic, not touristy
- Rapid improvement
- Interesting architecture
- Arts scene emerging

**Cons**
- Block-by-block varies hugely
- Some areas genuinely rough
- Reputation still bad
- Few expat services
- Can feel uncomfortable

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €400-700/month |
| Grocery | Good coverage |
| Dining | Local, cheap, improving |
| Nightlife | Emerging, mostly local |
| Metro | M2 (Blaha), M3, M4 |
| Safety | Varies by block |

### Safety Note
Research specific streets before signing. Rákóczi tér, Baross utca inner parts fine. Outer areas toward X need more caution. Improving rapidly but not uniform.

### Best For
- Budget-seekers comfortable with edge
- Artists, creatives
- People who know Budapest already
- Those wanting authentic, not polished

---

## District IX (Ferencváros)

### Overview
Underrated district. Home to universities, improving rapidly, real neighborhood feel.

**Size**: Medium
**Population**: ~60,000
**Vibe**: Student, up-and-coming, increasingly cool

### Areas

**Ráday utca area**
- Famous café/restaurant street
- Established nightlife
- University crowd
- Most desirable

**Millennium City Center**
- Modern development
- Near Great Market Hall
- Apartments + offices

**Ferenc körút**
- Along the outer ring
- Good transit
- Mixed quality

**Outer IX**
- Industrial past
- Gentrifying pockets
- Music venues (A38, Dürer)

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Better value than VII
- University energy
- Improving quickly
- Good restaurants (Ráday)
- Excellent transit

**Cons**
- Less central than V-VII
- Some industrial areas
- Variable building quality
- Not fully "arrived" yet

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €450-750/month |
| Grocery | Good |
| Dining | Excellent on Ráday |
| Nightlife | Good, more local |
| Metro | M3, M4 |
| Culture | A38, MÜPA nearby |

### Best For
- Students
- Young professionals
- Those wanting value + quality
- People who know Budapest

---

## District XIII (Újlipótváros)

### Overview
The "sensible" district. Modern apartments, good transit, riverside, professional crowd.

**Size**: Large
**Population**: ~115,000
**Vibe**: Modern, professional, less historic

### Areas

**Szent István körút area**
- Near V, almost central
- Grand buildings
- Best part

**Pozsonyi út**
- Riverside, increasingly upscale
- Good restaurants
- Modern + historic mix

**Margit híd surrounds**
- Near Margaret Island
- Excellent for runners/cyclists

**Outer XIII (toward Angyalföld)**
- More residential
- Communist-era blocks
- Cheaper but less interesting

### Living Here

**Pros**
- Modern apartments available
- Good transit (M3, trams)
- Near Margaret Island
- Professional/expat crowd
- Less touristy

**Cons**
- Less "character" than older districts
- Some brutalist blocks
- Not many historic buildings
- Outer parts less appealing

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €550-900/month |
| Grocery | Excellent |
| Dining | Good, improving |
| Nightlife | Some bars, not focus |
| Metro | M3 (blue line) |
| Green | Margaret Island nearby |

### Best For
- Professionals wanting balance
- Remote workers
- Those prioritizing practical
- Runners (Margaret Island)

---

## District XIV (Zugló)

### Overview
City Park district. Family-friendly, green, accessible but not central.

**Size**: Large
**Population**: ~120,000
**Vibe**: Residential, families, mixed

### Areas

**City Park area (Városliget)**
- Near Heroes' Square
- Széchenyi Bath
- Zoo, museums, skating rink

**Herminamező**
- Residential, villas
- Quiet, established
- Good schools

**Zugló proper**
- Mix of everything
- Communist blocks + houses
- Metro M1 end

### Living Here

**Pros**
- City Park access
- More space than center
- Family-friendly
- Széchenyi Bath nearby
- Cheaper than center

**Cons**
- Not central
- Variable neighborhood quality
- Some areas dull
- Need transit for nightlife

### Practical Info

| Metric | Details |
|--------|---------|
| 1BR Rent | €500-800/month |
| Grocery | Good |
| Dining | Local options |
| Nightlife | City Park area only |
| Metro | M1 (yellow line) |
| Green | City Park, excellent |

### Best For
- Families with children
- Park lovers
- Those wanting space + accessibility

---

## Pest Comparison

| Factor | VIII | IX | XIII | XIV |
|--------|------|----|----|-----|
| Price | $ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
| Safety | Varies | Good | Good | Good |
| Transit | Excellent | Excellent | Good | OK |
| Character | Edgy | Improving | Modern | Family |
| Nightlife | Emerging | Good (Ráday) | Light | Limited |
| For families | No | Maybe | Yes | Yes |

### Decision Framework

**Choose VIII if**: Budget-first, comfortable with edge, want authentic
**Choose IX if**: Value + quality balance, student/young professional
**Choose XIII if**: Practical matters, modern apartments, professional life
**Choose XIV if**: Family life, park access, space needed


path: resident.md
content: # Moving to Budapest Guide

## Before You Arrive

### Legal Status

**EU/EEA Citizens**:
- Free to live and work
- Register after 90 days
- No visa needed

**Non-EU Citizens**:
- Need visa/residence permit for stays >90 days
- Work permit required for employment
- See `visas.md` for details

### Documents to Prepare

- Passport (valid 6+ months)
- Birth certificate (apostilled)
- Marriage certificate if applicable
- Educational documents (apostilled for work)
- Employment contract if applicable
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance documentation
- Passport photos (lots)

### Research

- [ ] Neighborhoods (see district guides)
- [ ] Cost of living estimation
- [ ] Job market if relevant
- [ ] Schools if family
- [ ] Healthcare options
- [ ] Bank account options

## First Steps on Arrival

### Week 1 Priorities

1. **Accommodation** (temporary if needed)
   - Airbnb for first 1-2 weeks
   - Use time to view permanent options
   - Don't sign long-term without viewing

2. **SIM Card**
   - Buy prepaid immediately
   - Airport or city shop
   - Needed for everything

3. **Transport**
   - Get monthly BKK pass
   - Download BKK Futár app
   - Download Bolt

4. **Banking**
   - Set up Wise/Revolut immediately
   - Use for payments until bank account

### Week 2-4 Priorities

1. **Permanent Accommodation**
   - View apartments
   - Understand contracts
   - Budget for deposits

2. **Registration**
   - Address registration (lakcímkártya)
   - Requires landlord cooperation
   - Needed for many other steps

3. **Bank Account**
   - Hungarian bank if staying long-term
   - Requires address, tax ID

4. **Tax Number**
   - Adószám (tax ID)
   - Apply at NAV office
   - Needed for work, sometimes banking

5. **Healthcare**
   - Arrange insurance
   - Register with GP
   - TAJ number if employed

## Finding Accommodation

### Where to Search

**Websites**:
- Ingatlan.com (largest, Hungarian)
- Alberlet.hu (rentals)
- Facebook groups (Expats, Flats)
- Booking.com (short-term)
- Flatio (furnished, medium-term)

**Agencies**:
- DunaHouse
- RE/MAX
- Independent agents
- 1 month fee typical

### What to Know

**Typical terms**:
- 1-year lease (shorter possible)
- 2 months deposit
- 1 month agency fee (if used)
- Furnished or unfurnished
- Közös költség (common costs) extra

**Red flags**:
- No contract
- Cash only requests
- Price too good
- Can't visit
- Rushed signing

**Viewing checklist**:
- [ ] Heating type and cost
- [ ] Utility costs (ask for bills)
- [ ] Internet availability
- [ ] Noise level
- [ ] Storage space
- [ ] Neighbors
- [ ] Building condition
- [ ] Natural light
- [ ] AC (crucial for summer)

### Contract Points

**Should include**:
- Rental amount and payment schedule
- Deposit amount and return conditions
- Notice period (typically 30-60 days)
- Utility responsibility
- Landlord contact info
- Inventory list (for furnished)
- Property condition documentation

**Have reviewed** by Hungarian speaker or lawyer if large commitment.

## Registration Process

### Address Registration (Lakcím)

**What**: Official address registration card
**Why**: Required for many services

**Process**:
1. Landlord provides consent
2. Go to Okmányiroda (Document Office)
3. Submit application
4. Receive lakcímkártya

**Documents needed**:
- Passport
- Lease agreement
- Landlord consent form
- Application form

**Note**: Some landlords reluctant — discuss before signing lease.

### Tax Number (Adószám)

**What**: Hungarian tax ID
**Why**: Employment, banking, official matters

**Process**:
1. Go to NAV office
2. Submit application
3. Receive number (same day or posted)

**Documents needed**:
- Passport
- Address registration
- Application form

### Social Security (TAJ)

**What**: Healthcare and pension number
**Why**: Required for employment, healthcare access

**Process**:
1. Employer usually handles
2. Or apply at OEP office
3. Receive TAJ card

**Access through**:
- Employment (mandatory contributions)
- Voluntary contribution
- EU EHIC card (temporary coverage)

## Employment

### Finding Work

**Job sites**:
- LinkedIn (strongest for professional)
- Profession.hu (local)
- Indeed Hungary
- Monster.hu
- Company websites directly

**Sectors hiring expats**:
- Shared services centers
- Tech companies
- Teaching/education
- Tourism/hospitality

### Work Culture

**Hours**: 8am-5pm typical, some flexibility
**Vacation**: 20+ days standard
**Language**: Many international companies use English
**Dress**: Business casual typical

### Employment Rights

**Standard benefits**:
- Health insurance (mandatory)
- Pension contributions
- Paid holidays (20+)
- Sick leave
- Maternity/paternity

**Probation**: Up to 3 months
**Notice period**: 30 days minimum

## Building Your Life

### Social Connections

**Expat groups**:
- Internations events
- Facebook groups
- Meetup.com groups
- Embassy events
- Language exchange

**Local connections**:
- Work colleagues
- Neighbors
- Sports/hobby clubs
- Volunteering

### Learning Hungarian

**Worth it?**: For long-term stay, yes
**Difficulty**: Very hard (non-Indo-European)
**Strategy**: 
- Basic phrases help daily life
- Full fluency takes years
- English sufficient in center/professional

**Resources**:
- Language schools (Katedra, etc.)
- Private tutors
- Apps (Duolingo intro only)
- Tandem partners

### Establishing Routines

**First 3 months**:
- Explore neighborhoods
- Find your supermarket
- Identify good restaurants
- Establish commute
- Join 1-2 activities

**6 months**:
- Should feel oriented
- Friend group forming
- Routines established
- Consider longer-term stay

## Practical Setup

### Utilities

Usually landlord's name, you pay:
- Electricity (~€40-80/month)
- Gas (~€50-150/month, seasonal)
- Water (often in közös költség)
- Internet (~€20-30/month)

### Internet

**Setup**:
1. Choose provider (Telekom, Digi, Vodafone)
2. Order online or in shop
3. Installation appointment
4. ~1-2 weeks

### Mail

- Arrange mailbox access
- Set up mail forwarding from old address
- Register for FoxPost/Packeta for packages

### Driving

**EU License**: Valid directly
**Non-EU License**: Exchange or get Hungarian (rules vary)
**Parking**: Expensive in center
**Car needed?**: Usually no in central Budapest

## Common Challenges

### Language Barrier

- Official documents in Hungarian
- Some services limited English
- Solution: Translation apps, expat services, learning basics

### Bureaucracy

- Multiple offices for different things
- Opening hours limited
- Appointments often needed
- Solution: Patience, preparation, help from locals

### Winter Blues

- Short, gray days November-February
- Can be depressing
- Solution: Light therapy, social activities, thermal baths

### Loneliness

- Common expat experience
- Takes time to build connections
- Solution: Active social effort, joining groups, patience

## Month-by-Month Timeline

### Month 1
- [ ] Arrive, temporary accommodation
- [ ] SIM card, transport pass
- [ ] Find permanent apartment
- [ ] Sign lease, move in

### Month 2
- [ ] Address registration
- [ ] Tax number
- [ ] Bank account
- [ ] Start work or continue job search
- [ ] Basic exploration

### Month 3
- [ ] Routines established
- [ ] Healthcare sorted
- [ ] Social connections starting
- [ ] Feeling oriented

### Month 6
- [ ] Well established
- [ ] Friend group forming
- [ ] Considering longer stay?
- [ ] Hungarian lessons?

### Year 1
- [ ] Lease renewal decision
- [ ] Long-term plans
- [ ] Fully integrated
- [ ] Know the city well


path: safety.md
content: # Budapest Safety Guide

## Overall Safety

Budapest is one of Europe's safest capitals. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Common sense applies.

**Global Peace Index**: Hungary ranks well
**Tourist safety**: Very high
**Main concerns**: Petty theft, scams (both avoidable)

## Crime Reality

### What to Actually Worry About

**Pickpockets** (Low-Medium Risk)
- Crowded public transit
- Ruin bars at night
- Tourist attractions (Castle, Market Hall)
- Solution: Normal awareness, secure valuables

**Scams** (Medium Risk)
- Taxi overcharging
- Restaurant bill padding
- "Pretty women" bar scam
- Exchange office poor rates
- Solution: Knowledge (see below)

**Bike theft** (Medium Risk)
- Use good locks
- Don't leave overnight outside
- Register with police if valuable

### What NOT to Worry About

- Violent crime (rare)
- Mugging (very rare)
- Home invasion (very rare)
- Terrorism (no significant threat)
- Kidnapping (not a concern)

## Scams to Know

### Taxi Scams

**The scam**: Unmetered fare, inflated prices, "broken meter"

**Avoid by**:
- Using Bolt app (tracked, fixed price)
- Only official taxis (Főtaxi yellow cars)
- Never hailing unmarked cars
- Agreeing price before if not metered

**Hotspots**: Airport, Keleti station, ruin bar area

### Restaurant Bill Padding

**The scam**: Extra items added, wrong prices, "cover charge"

**Avoid by**:
- Checking menu prices
- Asking about cover/service charges upfront
- Reviewing itemized bill
- Avoiding restaurants with aggressive outside pitches

**Hotspots**: Váci utca, tourist areas

### The "Pretty Women" Scam

**The scam**: Attractive women invite you for drinks → enormous bill → threats

**How it works**:
1. Friendly women approach solo male tourists
2. Invite to "quiet bar" they know
3. Order expensive drinks
4. Bill arrives: €500+
5. Bouncers appear if you resist

**Avoid by**:
- Never following strangers to bars
- Checking prices before ordering
- Declining too-friendly approaches
- Sticking to established venues

**Note**: This is a real, organized scam. Don't be embarrassed — it's designed to work.

### Exchange Office Scams

**The scam**: Poor exchange rates, hidden fees, math "errors"

**Avoid by**:
- Using Wise/Revolut cards (best rates)
- ATMs at real banks
- Never exchanging at airport
- Never exchanging on street (illegal)

### Thermal Bath Theft

**The scam**: Items stolen from lockers/changing areas

**Avoid by**:
- Using secure lockers (wristband key)
- Not bringing valuables
- Using waterproof pouch for essentials
- Being aware in crowded changing rooms

## Safe Practices

### On the Street

- **Day**: No concerns anywhere central
- **Night**: Normal city awareness
- **ATMs**: Use bank ATMs, be aware of surroundings
- **Phones**: Don't flash expensive phones in crowds
- **Bags**: Crossbody or front-worn in crowded areas

### Public Transit

- Keep valuables in front pockets
- Backpacks to front in crowds
- Be alert at busy interchanges
- Night buses: Normal awareness

### Nightlife

- Watch drinks (universal advice)
- Stick with friends
- Use Bolt for transport home
- Know your limits with pálinka
- Ruin bars: Secure valuables in crowds

### Accommodation

- Use safe/locker for valuables
- Lock doors (standard)
- Verify Airbnb hosts (reviews, verification)
- Note emergency exits

## Areas by Safety

### Very Safe (Day & Night)

- District I (Castle District)
- District V (Center)
- District VI (most)
- District XII (Buda hills)
- District II (Buda residential)
- District XIII (modern)

### Safe with Normal Awareness

- District VII (busy nightlife = some issues)
- District IX (improving)
- District XIV (residential)
- District XI (residential)

### Caution Advised (especially at night)

- District VIII (parts)
  - Rapidly improving but some rough blocks
  - Stick to main streets at night
  - Józsefváros proper more concerning than Palace Quarter

### Not Tourist Relevant

- Most outer districts: Safe but nothing there
- Industrial areas: No reason to visit

## Emergency Information

### Emergency Numbers

| Service | Number |
|---------|--------|
| General Emergency | 112 |
| Ambulance | 104 |
| Fire | 105 |
| Police | 107 |

### What to Know

- **112**: Works for all emergencies, English available
- **Police**: Professional but limited English outside center
- **Hospitals**: Good care, some English
- **Embassy**: Contact in serious situations

### Police Interaction

- Generally professional
- Tourist Police unit exists (some English)
- Report crimes at nearest station
- For minor theft: May not recover items but report for insurance
- Keep copy of passport separately

### Lost/Stolen Documents

**Passport**:
1. Report to police (get report)
2. Contact embassy
3. Get emergency travel document

**Cards**:
1. Block immediately (bank app/phone)
2. Report to police if needed
3. Get replacement sent or use backup

**Phone**:
1. Report to police (for insurance)
2. Block SIM with provider
3. Use Find My / Google to lock/locate

## Health & Medical Safety

### Emergencies

- **112**: Ambulance dispatch
- **Hospitals**: SOS International, FirstMed (private, English)
- **Public hospitals**: Good care, limited English

### Pharmacies

- **Gyógyszertár**: Pharmacy
- **24-hour**: Several in center
- **Common meds**: May need prescription
- **Pharmacists**: Often speak some English

### Food/Water Safety

- **Tap water**: Safe to drink
- **Restaurant hygiene**: Good standards
- **Street food**: Generally safe
- **Ice**: Safe

### Allergies/Medical Conditions

- Carry medication with prescription documentation
- Know Hungarian for your condition
- MedicAlert bracelet useful
- Download translation app

## Natural Hazards

### Weather

- **Summer heat**: 35°C+ possible, stay hydrated
- **Winter cold**: -10°C possible, dress warmly
- **Ice**: Sidewalks can be slippery (December-February)

### Other

- **Flooding**: Rare, Danube flooding happens but controlled
- **Earthquakes**: Very rare, negligible
- **Wildlife**: None in city

## LGBTQ+ Safety

### Reality

- **Legal status**: Same-sex relationships legal
- **Public attitude**: Younger/central more accepting
- **Government**: Current policies less supportive
- **Violence**: Rare but incidents occur

### Advice

- **Central Budapest**: Generally safe, tolerant
- **Public affection**: Keep discrete outside gay venues
- **Pride**: Annual, but controversial
- **Venues**: Concentrated in District VII

### Resources

- Budapest Pride
- Háttér Society (LGBTQ+ organization)
- Gay-friendly hotels/venues list available

## Women's Safety

### Reality

- Very safe by European standards
- Solo female travel common
- Nightlife generally respectful

### Tips

- Normal awareness at night
- Drink watching standard
- Bolt home from nights out
- Trust instincts if uncomfortable
- Ruin bars: Big but manageable

### Resources

- Women-only thermal bath times (some locations)
- Women-only accommodation options exist

## Solo Traveler Safety

- Very safe for solo travelers
- Hostels social and safe
- Easy to meet people
- Good tourist infrastructure
- English widely spoken in center

## Travel Insurance

**Recommended**: Always for medical emergencies

**Should cover**:
- Medical evacuation
- Hospital costs
- Trip cancellation
- Theft/loss
- 24-hour assistance line

**EU citizens**: EHIC/GHIC card for public healthcare
**Non-EU**: Private insurance essential


path: startup.md
content: # Budapest Startup Scene

## Overview

Budapest's startup ecosystem is:
- **Growing**: Still developing compared to Berlin/London
- **Affordable**: Lower costs = longer runway
- **Talented**: Strong technical education
- **Central**: Good base for CEE expansion
- **Improving**: More funding, more exits, more ambition

## Ecosystem Snapshot

### Success Stories

**Hungarian unicorns/major exits**:
- Prezi (presentation software)
- LogMeIn/GoTo (remote access, sold for $4.3B)
- Ustream (live streaming, sold to IBM)
- Bitrise (mobile DevOps, major VC rounds)
- SEON (fraud prevention)

### Current Strengths

- **B2B SaaS**: Strong track record
- **Developer tools**: Technical talent advantage
- **Gaming**: Long tradition
- **Fintech**: Growing
- **Deeptech**: University spinoffs

### Challenges

- Small local market
- Limited late-stage funding
- Brain drain to Western Europe
- Less risk-taking culture
- Language barrier for some

## Starting Up

### Why Budapest

**Pros**:
- Low costs (office, salaries)
- Strong technical talent
- EU membership (market access)
- Good quality of life
- Growing ecosystem

**Cons**:
- Small domestic market
- Less VC than major hubs
- Need to go international quickly
- Bureaucracy
- Limited exits market

### Legal Setup

**Typical path**: Form Kft (Hungarian LLC)
- See `business.md` for details
- Min capital: ~€7,500
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks

**For investment**:
- Often restructure for foreign holding
- ESOP setup more complex than US
- International VC-compatible structures exist

### Costs

**Monthly burn (early stage)**:
- Office/coworking: €200-500/person
- Developer salary: €2,500-4,000
- Marketing: Variable
- Tools/services: €500-1,000

**Total small team (5 people)**: €20,000-30,000/month

Compare to Berlin (~€40,000-60,000) or London (~€60,000-100,000)

## Funding Landscape

### Stages

**Pre-seed/Seed** (€50K-500K):
- Angel investors
- Local VCs
- Accelerator funding
- Growing options

**Series A** (€1-5M):
- Regional VCs
- International VCs entering
- Government co-investment

**Later stages**:
- Limited local options
- Need international VCs
- Common to relocate/have foreign entity

### Investors

**Local VCs**:
- Hiventures (government-backed, active)
- PortfoLion
- Széchenyi Capital
- Primus Capital
- Day One Capital

**Regional VCs** (active in Budapest):
- Credo Ventures
- Kaya VC
- Various Polish/Czech funds

**International interest**:
- Growing attention to CEE
- Tier 1 VCs now look at region
- Typically Series A onwards

### Angels

- Growing angel community
- Tech founders reinvesting
- Networks forming
- Still less structured than US/UK

### Government Support

**Hiventures**:
- Largest local player
- Various programs
- Can be slower
- Good for matching/co-investment

**EU Funding**:
- Various programs
- Horizon Europe
- Often complex applications

## Support Infrastructure

### Accelerators

**Design Terminal**:
- Government-affiliated
- Free office space
- Mentorship
- Demo days

**MKB Fintechlab**:
- Fintech focused
- Bank partnership
- Good network

**Others**:
- Google for Startups (regional)
- Climate-KIC (climate tech)
- EIT programs

### Coworking

**Kaptar**: Multiple locations, startup-friendly
**Impact Hub**: Social enterprise focus
**Mosaik**: Design-oriented
**Loffice**: Various spaces

Costs: €150-300/month per desk

### Legal/Accounting

**Startup-friendly firms**:
- DLA Piper (international)
- CMS (international)
- Local boutiques
- Important: Find VC-experienced lawyers

### Events

**Regular**:
- Startup Safary (largest)
- Brain Bar (festival)
- Various meetups
- Demo days

**Community**:
- Active Slack/Discord groups
- Meetup groups
- Informal networks

## Talent

### Finding People

**Sources**:
- University partnerships (BME, ELTE)
- LinkedIn
- Tech meetups
- Referrals (small community)
- Recruiters (expensive but effective)

### Competing for Talent

- Equity matters (educate candidates)
- Mission/vision important
- Flexibility valued
- Growth opportunities
- Compete on culture, not just salary

### Remote/Distributed

- Budapest as base + remote team common
- Access to broader talent
- Tools/culture matter

## Going International

### When to Expand

Budapest market small (~10M people):
- Most startups need international quickly
- Often target UK/Germany/US
- Regional (CEE) expansion easier

### Common Patterns

**Option 1**: Hungarian entity, sell internationally
- Simple to start
- May need foreign entity later

**Option 2**: Foreign holding (Delaware, UK, etc.) from start
- VC-preferred
- More complex setup
- Better for big fundraising

**Option 3**: Move HQ, keep Hungarian operations
- Common pattern
- Talent stays cheaper in Budapest
- HQ where investors/customers are

## Best Practices

### For Foreign Founders

**Advantages**:
- International perspective
- Network abroad
- English native

**Considerations**:
- Learn ecosystem
- Build local relationships
- Understand culture
- Legal/tax advice crucial

### General Advice

1. **Think international from day 1** — local market small
2. **Use cost advantage** — longer runway, more experiments
3. **Build relationships** — small community, reputation matters
4. **Get good advisors** — legal, accounting, mentors
5. **Join community** — events, coworking, networks
6. **Consider relocation timing** — if/when to move HQ

## Resources

### Online

- Startup Hungary (news)
- CEE startup newsletters
- LinkedIn groups
- Local tech media

### Organizations

- Hungarian Startup Association
- Bridge Budapest
- AmCham tech committee
- Various bilateral chambers

### People to Know

- Attend events
- Ask for introductions
- Active founders help each other
- Mentors available

## Comparison

| Factor | Budapest | Berlin | London |
|--------|----------|--------|--------|
| Costs | Low | Medium | High |
| Funding | Growing | Strong | Very strong |
| Talent | Good | Competitive | Abundant |
| Ecosystem | Developing | Mature | Mature |
| Market access | CEE, EU | EU, Global | Global |
| Quality of life | High | High | High |

**Budapest sweet spot**: Early-stage, cost-efficient development with plan to internationalize.


path: tech.md
content: # Budapest Tech Industry

## Overview

Budapest is Central Europe's growing tech hub:
- Major shared services center (SSC) presence
- Growing startup ecosystem
- Strong technical education
- Competitive costs vs. Western Europe
- Improving infrastructure

## The Tech Landscape

### Shared Services Centers

**Major employers** (many Fortune 500):
- Morgan Stanley (largest tech employer)
- Deutsche Telekom
- BP
- Citi
- Tata Consultancy
- Cognizant
- EPAM
- IBM
- Microsoft
- Google

**What they do**: IT operations, development, support for parent companies

**Why Budapest**: 
- Educated workforce
- Language skills (English, German)
- Lower costs than Western Europe
- EU location
- Good quality of life

### Product Companies

**Growing presence**:
- Prezi (presentation software, HQ here)
- LogMeIn/GoTo (founded here)
- Ustream (acquired by IBM)
- Bitrise (mobile DevOps)
- Various startups

### Startups

**Ecosystem**: Young but developing
- Accelerators: Design Terminal, MKB Fintechlab
- Coworking: Kaptar, Impact Hub, Mosaik
- Events: Startup Safary, Brain Bar
- Funding: Growing VC presence

### Freelance & Remote

**Growing community**:
- Digital nomads
- Remote workers for foreign companies
- Freelancers serving international clients
- Coworking culture strong

## Job Market

### In-Demand Roles

**High demand**:
- Full-stack developers
- DevOps/Cloud engineers
- Data scientists
- Product managers
- UX designers
- Security specialists
- Mobile developers

**Languages/Frameworks**:
- JavaScript/TypeScript (React, Node)
- Python
- Java
- .NET
- Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Kubernetes/Docker

### Salary Ranges (2026)

| Role | Junior | Mid | Senior |
|------|--------|-----|--------|
| Developer | €1,500-2,200 | €2,500-3,500 | €3,500-5,000 |
| DevOps | €1,800-2,500 | €3,000-4,000 | €4,000-6,000 |
| Data Scientist | €2,000-2,800 | €3,000-4,200 | €4,500-6,500 |
| Product Manager | €2,000-2,800 | €3,200-4,500 | €4,500-6,500 |
| UX Designer | €1,500-2,200 | €2,500-3,500 | €3,500-5,000 |

**Notes**:
- Net figures (after tax)
- SSCs often pay more
- Startups: Equity may supplement
- Remote for foreign companies: Often 2-3x local rates

### Benefits Common

**Standard**:
- Private health insurance
- SZÉP card (tax-free benefits)
- Training budgets
- Home office allowance
- Flexible hours

**Premium packages**:
- Stock options
- Gym membership
- Meal subsidies
- Extra vacation
- Annual bonus

### Finding Jobs

**Platforms**:
- LinkedIn (strongest)
- Profession.hu
- Glassdoor
- Company career pages
- AngelList (startups)
- Meetup networking

**Recruiters**: Very active in Budapest tech scene

## Work Culture

### General Traits

- More flexible than traditional Hungarian companies
- English as working language (most tech)
- Flat hierarchies (especially startups)
- Remote/hybrid increasingly common
- Work-life balance improving

### Hours

- Standard: 8-9 hours
- Startups: Can be longer
- SSCs: Depends on US/UK timezone overlap
- Core hours common (10am-4pm)

### Office Locations

**Tech hubs**:
- District XIII (Corvin, offices)
- District XI (Infopark)
- District IX (along Danube)
- District VII (startups, coworking)

**Trend**: Hybrid work, less central office need

## Education & Talent

### Universities

**Top tech education**:
- BME (Budapest University of Technology)
- ELTE (Eötvös Loránd)
- Óbuda University
- Corvinus (business/tech)

**Quality**: Strong theoretical foundation, good engineers

### Talent Characteristics

**Strengths**:
- Strong mathematics
- Problem-solving
- Multi-lingual (English + often German)
- Cost-competitive
- Loyal (lower turnover than some markets)

**Challenges**:
- Competition for senior talent
- Brain drain to Western Europe
- Salary expectations rising

## For Expats

### Getting Hired

**Advantages**:
- English native speakers valued
- International experience valued
- Different perspectives welcomed

**Challenges**:
- Local network matters
- Some roles require Hungarian
- Salary expectations may differ

### Remote Work

**Popular options**:
- Keep foreign job, live in Budapest
- Freelance for international clients
- Digital nomad visa available

**Tax implications**: Need proper setup (see business.md)

### Coworking Spaces

**Popular**:
- Kaptar (multiple locations)
- Impact Hub
- Mosaik
- Loffice
- WeWork

**Costs**: €150-300/month for dedicated desk

## Tech Community

### Events

**Regular**:
- Meetup groups (100+ tech-focused)
- Startup Safary (annual)
- Brain Bar (festival)
- Craft Conference (development)
- DevOps Days

### Communities

- Budapest.rb (Ruby)
- Budapest.js
- Python Budapest
- AWS/Cloud meetups
- Women in Tech Hungary

### Networking

- LinkedIn active
- Meetups important
- Slack groups exist
- Company events

## Infrastructure

### Internet

- Fiber widespread
- Good speeds (100Mbps-1Gbps)
- Reliable
- Mobile data: Good (5G rolling out)

### Coworking/Office

- Abundant options
- Various price points
- Good quality generally

### Transport

- Excellent public transit
- Many offices transit-accessible
- Central location advantage

## Challenges & Opportunities

### Challenges

- Talent competition (limited pool)
- Salary inflation
- Government relations with EU
- Brain drain risk

### Opportunities

- Regional expansion base
- Nearshoring destination
- Growing ecosystem
- Quality/cost balance
- Strong education pipeline

## Comparison with Other Cities

| Factor | Budapest | Prague | Warsaw | Berlin |
|--------|----------|--------|--------|--------|
| Salaries | Lower | Similar | Similar | Higher |
| Ecosystem | Developing | Strong | Strong | Very strong |
| Cost of living | Lower | Similar | Lower | Higher |
| Talent pool | Good | Good | Large | Large |
| English level | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Quality of life | High | High | Good | High |

Budapest offers strong value: quality talent at competitive rates with high quality of life.


path: thermal.md
content: # Budapest Thermal Baths Guide

## Why Budapest?

Budapest sits on 120+ thermal springs. More thermal water than any other capital city. Bathing culture goes back 2,000+ years (Romans, Ottomans, Habsburgs).

**"City of Spas"** — not marketing, reality.

## The Major Baths

### Széchenyi Thermal Bath

**The iconic one.** Largest medicinal bath complex in Europe.

**Location**: City Park (XIV)
**Built**: 1913 (Neo-Baroque)
**Metro**: M1 Széchenyi fürdő

**Facilities**:
- 3 outdoor pools (year-round, even in snow)
- 15 indoor pools
- Steam rooms, saunas
- Massage services
- Medical treatments

**Vibe**: Tourist-friendly, lively, famous yellow building

**Best for**: First-timers, outdoor pool experience, social bathing

**Prices**: ~6,000-8,000 HUF (locker vs cabin)
**Hours**: 6am-10pm daily

**Tips**:
- Early morning or after 4pm: fewer crowds
- Weekend mornings: Packed
- Chess players in outdoor pools = iconic photo
- Bring flip-flops, swim cap (some pools require)

---

### Gellért Thermal Bath

**The elegant one.** Art Nouveau masterpiece.

**Location**: Gellért Hill base (XI)
**Built**: 1918
**Tram**: 19, 41, 47, 49 to Szent Gellért tér

**Facilities**:
- Indoor pools (stunning architecture)
- Outdoor wave pool (summer)
- Private cabins
- Thermal pools various temperatures
- Steam, sauna, cold plunge

**Vibe**: Elegant, more refined, tourists but calmer than Széchenyi

**Best for**: Architecture lovers, first-timers wanting elegance

**Prices**: ~7,000-9,000 HUF
**Hours**: 6am-8pm daily

**Tips**:
- Main hall is the star — spend time there
- Wave pool summer only
- Less chaotic than Széchenyi
- Combined hotel packages available

---

### Rudas Thermal Bath

**The authentic one.** Ottoman-era bath with rooftop pool.

**Location**: Buda embankment (I)
**Built**: 1550 (Ottoman), renovated
**Tram**: 19, 41

**Facilities**:
- Ottoman bath hall (octagonal, domed)
- Rooftop pool (panoramic views)
- Modern wellness section
- Various temperature pools
- Night bathing (weekends)

**Vibe**: Mix of historic and modern, locals and tourists

**Best for**: Ottoman history, rooftop views, night swimming

**Prices**: ~5,000-8,000 HUF (varies by section)
**Hours**: 6am-10pm (night sessions weekends)

**Tips**:
- Rooftop pool: City views, especially at sunset/night
- Ottoman section: Most atmospheric
- Night bathing Fri-Sat: Popular, younger crowd
- Mixed gender all times now (historically varied)

---

### Király Thermal Bath

**The intimate one.** Small, Ottoman, authentic.

**Location**: District II (near Batthyány)
**Built**: 1565 (Ottoman)
**Metro**: M2 Batthyány tér

**Facilities**:
- Small Ottoman bath
- Thermal pools
- Sauna, steam
- Limited but authentic

**Vibe**: Local, unhurried, atmospheric

**Best for**: Ottoman experience, avoiding crowds

**Prices**: ~3,500-4,500 HUF
**Hours**: 9am-9pm daily

**Tips**:
- Smallest major bath = most intimate
- Less English, more local
- Architecture stunning despite size
- Go weekday afternoon for peace

---

### Lukács Thermal Bath

**The local one.** Where Budapestis actually go.

**Location**: District II (near Margaret Bridge)
**Built**: 1894
**Tram**: 4, 6

**Facilities**:
- Thermal pools
- Swimming pool (serious swimmers)
- Outdoor pools
- Weight pool (unique)
- Medical facilities

**Vibe**: Local, unpretentious, less tourist

**Best for**: Budget, authenticity, serious swimming

**Prices**: ~3,500-4,500 HUF (cheapest major bath)
**Hours**: 6am-10pm daily

**Tips**:
- Regulars gather daily — social scene
- Weight pool: Lift weights in thermal water
- Less English spoken
- "Wall of gratitude" crutches/canes left by healed

---

### Palatinus Strand

**The summer one.** Margaret Island outdoor complex.

**Location**: Margaret Island
**Open**: May-September only
**Access**: Tram 4, 6 to Margaret Bridge

**Facilities**:
- Multiple outdoor pools
- Wave pool
- Water slides
- Thermal pools
- Green space

**Vibe**: Summer holiday, families, young people

**Best for**: Summer fun, families, all-day outing

**Prices**: ~4,000-5,000 HUF
**Hours**: 9am-8pm (summer only)

**Tips**:
- Weekends: Packed
- Bring picnic
- Full day activity
- Not thermal focused but includes thermal pools

## Lesser-Known Baths

### Veli Bej Bath
- Renovated Ottoman
- Modern twist
- Near Király
- More exclusive feel

### Dandár Thermal Bath
- Local, very cheap
- District IX
- No tourists
- Authentic experience

### Dagály Thermal Bath
- North Budapest
- Recently renovated
- Olympic pool
- Competition facility

### Csillaghegyi Strand
- Outdoor, Óbuda
- Summer only
- Very local
- Family-friendly

## Practical Information

### What to Bring

**Essential**:
- Swimsuit
- Flip-flops (floor hygiene)
- Towel (or rent ~1,500 HUF)
- Lock (usually provided)
- Waterproof phone pouch (optional)

**Sometimes required**:
- Swim cap (some pools)
- Available to buy at baths

**Leave behind**:
- Valuables (use locker)
- Nice watch/jewelry

### What to Expect

**Entry process**:
1. Pay at entrance
2. Receive wristband (electronic key)
3. Find locker/cabin
4. Change, lock belongings
5. Shower (mandatory before pools)
6. Enjoy pools

**Layout**:
- Usually: Reception → Changing → Showers → Pools
- Signs in multiple languages (major baths)
- Staff can help

### Etiquette

**Do**:
- Shower before entering pools
- Use flip-flops in common areas
- Respect quiet in steam rooms
- Keep phones away from pools/saunas

**Don't**:
- Jump/splash (not swimming pools)
- Be loud in thermal areas
- Take photos without consent
- Shave in pools (some do, don't be them)

### Health Considerations

**Good for**:
- Joint pain, arthritis
- Muscle recovery
- Relaxation
- Circulation
- Skin conditions (some waters)

**Cautions**:
- Don't overdo it (20-30 min per hot pool)
- Hydrate (water, not alcohol first)
- Avoid if: High blood pressure, heart conditions, pregnancy (consult doctor)
- Move between temperatures gradually
- Dizziness: Get out, cool down

**Alcohol**: Available at some baths, but use caution with heat

### Prices Summary (2026)

| Bath | Weekday | Weekend |
|------|---------|---------|
| Széchenyi | ~6,500 HUF | ~7,500 HUF |
| Gellért | ~7,500 HUF | ~8,500 HUF |
| Rudas | ~5,500 HUF | ~6,500 HUF |
| Király | ~3,500 HUF | ~4,000 HUF |
| Lukács | ~3,500 HUF | ~4,000 HUF |

Cabin vs locker adds ~1,000-2,000 HUF

### Discounts

- Student (ISIC)
- Budapest Card includes some baths
- Multi-visit passes
- Early morning (some baths)
- Book online sometimes cheaper

## Seasonal Experience

### Summer
- Outdoor pools busy
- Extended hours
- Palatinus opens
- Hot days: Still refreshing (water temperature)

### Winter
- **Magical** — Steam rising, snow falling
- Outdoor pools especially atmospheric
- Széchenyi/Rudas outdoor: Bucket list
- Quieter than summer

### Year-Round
- Indoor pools always available
- Thermal = constant temperature
- Great any weather

## Best For...

### First Timer
**Széchenyi** or **Gellért** — iconic, tourist-friendly, full experience

### Architecture
**Gellért** (Art Nouveau) or **Rudas** (Ottoman)

### Authenticity
**Király** or **Lukács** — fewer tourists, real local experience

### Night Swimming
**Rudas** (Friday/Saturday nights)

### Views
**Rudas** rooftop — city panorama

### Budget
**Lukács** — cheapest major bath, very good

### Families
**Palatinus** (summer) or **Széchenyi** (year-round)

### Romance
**Gellért** — elegant setting, private cabins available

## Combining with Other Activities

**Popular combos**:
- Castle District + Rudas (nearby)
- City Park + Széchenyi (in the park)
- Gellért Hill hike + Gellért Bath
- Margaret Island + Palatinus (summer)

**Timing**:
- Morning baths + afternoon sightseeing
- Sightseeing + evening baths (recovery)
- Night bath + ruin bar (Rudas Friday → VII)

## Medical Treatments

Beyond relaxation, baths offer:
- **Prescribed treatments**: Doctor referral
- **Thermal therapies**: Specific conditions
- **Massage**: Various types
- **Mud treatments**: Some locations
- **Insurance may cover**: With prescription

Common conditions treated:
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism  
- Joint pain
- Spine conditions
- Post-surgery recovery


path: transport.md
content: # Budapest Transport Guide

## Overview

Budapest has excellent public transport — one of Europe's best for a city its size. Most residents don't need cars.

**BKK** (Budapesti Közlekedési Központ) operates everything.

## The Network

### Metro (4 lines)

**M1 (Yellow)** — Földalatti
- Oldest metro in continental Europe (1896)
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Runs under Andrássy út
- Connects: Vörösmarty tér ↔ Mexikói út
- Useful for: City Park, Opera

**M2 (Red)**
- East-West line
- Connects: Déli pu. (Buda) ↔ Örs vezér tere (Pest)
- Key stops: Batthyány tér, Deák, Blaha, Keleti
- Useful for: Train stations, eastern Pest

**M3 (Blue)**
- North-South through Pest
- Connects: Újpest ↔ Kőbánya-Kispest
- Key stops: Nyugati, Deák, Ferenciek, Kálvin, Corvin
- Useful for: Central Pest, airport connection
- Note: Recently renovated

**M4 (Green)**
- Newest line (2014)
- Connects: Kelenföld ↔ Keleti
- Key stops: Gellért, Rákóczi, Keleti
- Useful for: Gellért area, south Buda

**Interchange**: Deák Ferenc tér (M1, M2, M3)

### Hours
- First train: ~4:30am
- Last train: ~11:30pm
- Frequency: 2-5 min peak, 5-10 min off-peak
- Night service: Night buses replace metro

### Trams

Extensive network, often faster than metro for short trips.

**Key Lines**:
- **Tram 2**: Scenic Danube route (Parliament, Chain Bridge)
- **Tram 4 & 6**: Ring road, 24-hour service, very frequent
- **Tram 19, 41**: Buda embankment
- **Tram 47, 49**: Connect Deák to south Pest

**Frequency**: 3-10 min depending on line

### Buses

Fill gaps where trams/metro don't reach.

**Key Lines**:
- **16**: Castle District (from Deák or Széll Kálmán)
- **105**: Castle District (direct)
- **200E**: Airport to Kőbánya-Kispest metro

**Night Buses**:
- 3-digit numbers (900s)
- Run when metro closed
- Less frequent (15-30 min)

### Trolleybuses

Electric buses on specific routes, mainly northeast Pest.

### HÉV (Suburban Rail)

Connects city to suburbs and nearby towns.

**H5**: Batthyány tér → Szentendre (tourist favorite)
**H6**: Közvágóhíd → Ráckeve
**H7**: Boráros tér → Csepel
**H8/H9**: Örs vezér tere → Gödöllő

**Ticket**: Valid within city zones, extra for suburbs

### Boat (BKK Public)

**D11, D12, D13**: Danube boats, part of transit network
- Use regular ticket/pass
- Scenic but slow
- Connects: Római-part ↔ Haller utca
- Every 30-60 min

### Cogwheel Railway

**Line 60**: Connects Városmajor to Széchenyi-hegy
- Uses regular BKK ticket
- Scenic, leads to hiking trails
- Connects to Children's Railway (tourist)

## Tickets & Passes

### Ticket Types

| Type | Price (HUF) | Notes |
|------|-------------|-------|
| Single | ~450 | One journey, no transfer |
| Transfer ticket | ~530 | One transfer within 100 min |
| 10-ticket block | ~4,000 | Better value |
| 24-hour pass | ~2,500 | Unlimited |
| 72-hour pass | ~5,500 | Unlimited |
| Weekly | ~6,300 | Monday-Sunday |
| Monthly | ~9,500 | Calendar month |

**Budapest Card**: Tourist card, includes transit + museums.

### Where to Buy

- **BKK app**: Best for tourists, mobile tickets
- **Ticket machines**: Metro stations, major stops
- **Newsagents**: Purple BKK sign
- **Customer centers**: Deák, Keleti, Nyugati

### Validation

**Paper tickets**: MUST validate in orange boxes
**Mobile tickets**: Show screen if asked
**Passes**: No validation, just carry

### Inspectors

- Plainclothes, show BKK ID
- Random checks, often at station exits
- No valid ticket = ~16,000 HUF fine
- "I didn't know" doesn't work
- Very active, especially ruin bar areas

## Ride-Hailing & Taxis

### Bolt

- Market leader
- Cheapest option
- App-based, cashless
- Reliable, tracked

### Taxi Companies

**Official only**:
- Főtaxi (yellow cars, reliable)
- City Taxi
- 6x6 Taxi

**Cost**:
- Base: ~1,000 HUF
- Per km: ~400 HUF
- Waiting: ~100 HUF/min

**NEVER**: Hail random taxis, especially near tourist areas
**ALWAYS**: Use Bolt or call official company

## Driving

### Do You Need a Car?

**Usually no** if:
- Living in Districts I-XIV
- Working in center
- Lifestyle centered in city

**Maybe yes** if:
- Living in outer Buda (XII)
- Family with children in suburbs
- Work outside center
- Weekend trips important

### If You Drive

**License**: EU valid, others need International Driving Permit
**Side**: Right
**Seatbelts**: Mandatory
**Alcohol**: Zero tolerance (0.0%)
**Headlights**: 24/7 mandatory outside city
**Parking**: Difficult and expensive in center

### Parking

- **Street parking**: Pay by app (Parkl, EasyPark) or machine
- **Zone pricing**: Center most expensive
- **Residential**: Different rules, permits needed
- **Garages**: €10-30/day center

### Traffic

- Peak hours: 7-9am, 4-7pm
- Very congested
- Many one-way streets
- Aggressive drivers

## Cycling

### Infrastructure

- Improving but mixed
- Good in some areas (Danube path, Margaret Island)
- Dangerous in others
- Drivers not always cycle-aware

### MOL Bubi (Bike Share)

- City-wide bike share
- Stations everywhere
- App-based rental
- €500 HUF/day for short trips
- Good for 30-min hops

### Own Bike

- Theft risk exists (good locks)
- Storage in apartment varies
- Good for Pest flat areas
- Harder in hilly Buda

### Best Routes

- **Danube embankment** (both sides)
- **Margaret Island** (car-free)
- **City Park area**
- **Buda hills** (for mountain biking)

## Airport Connection

**Budapest Airport (BUD)** — 16 km southeast

### Options

| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|--------|------|------|-------|
| Bus 200E + M3 | 50-60 min | ~900 HUF | Cheapest |
| 100E (direct bus) | 35 min | ~2,200 HUF | Less frequent |
| miniBUD shuttle | 45-60 min | ~5,000 HUF | Door-to-door |
| Bolt/taxi | 25-40 min | ~8,000-12,000 HUF | Fastest |

### 200E + Metro

1. Exit terminal, find bus stop
2. Bus 200E to Kőbánya-Kispest
3. M3 metro to center
4. Use single ticket + transfer, or day pass

### Tips

- Book Bolt in advance for airport
- Train connection coming (construction)
- Night: Only Bolt/taxi (no metro)

## Intercity Travel

### Trains (MÁV)

**Keleti Station**: International (Vienna, Prague, etc.)
**Nyugati Station**: Some international, domestic
**Déli Station**: Lake Balaton direction

**Book**: mav-start.hu or app
**Tip**: IC trains faster but cost more

### Buses (Volánbusz)

**Népliget Station**: Main bus terminal
**Flixbus**: International connections
**Book**: volanbus.hu or Flixbus app

### Useful Connections

| Destination | From | Time |
|-------------|------|------|
| Vienna | Keleti (train) | 2.5h |
| Bratislava | Keleti (train) | 2.5h |
| Lake Balaton | Déli (train) | 1.5-2h |
| Szentendre | Batthyány (HÉV) | 40 min |
| Esztergom | Nyugati (train) | 1.5h |

## Practical Tips

### Apps to Download
- **BKK Futár**: Official, real-time arrivals
- **Google Maps**: Transit routing works
- **Bolt**: Ride-hailing
- **Parkl/EasyPark**: Parking

### Money-Saving

- Monthly pass if staying 2+ weeks
- 10-ticket packs over singles
- Walk in center (everything close)
- Bolt cheaper than taxi

### Accessibility

- Metro M4 fully accessible
- M3 renovated, accessible
- M1, M2 limited (old)
- Trams: Low-floor increasing
- Buses: Mostly accessible


path: visas.md
content: # Budapest Visas & Immigration

## Overview

Hungary is an EU member state and Schengen Area member. Immigration rules depend on citizenship.

## EU/EEA Citizens

### Rights
- **Free movement**: Live and work without visa
- **No work permit needed**
- **Registration required**: After 90 days
- **Family members**: Derivative rights

### Registration Process

**After 90 days**:
1. Register at Immigration Office (OIF)
2. Provide: Passport, address, employment/study/funds proof
3. Receive registration certificate
4. Valid indefinitely while conditions met

**Documents needed**:
- Valid ID/passport
- Proof of address
- Employment contract OR
- Student enrollment OR
- Proof of sufficient funds + health insurance

### Permanent Residence

**After 5 years** continuous legal residence:
- Apply for permanent residence
- More secure status
- Fewer conditions

## Non-EU Citizens

### Schengen Short Stay

**Without visa** (many countries):
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Tourism, business visits, family visits
- No work allowed
- Check if your country qualifies

**With visa required**:
- Apply at Hungarian embassy before travel
- Similar 90/180 rule
- Supporting documents required

### Long-Term Stay

For stays over 90 days, need residence permit.

## Residence Permit Types

### Employment Purpose

**Type D visa + Residence Permit**

**Requirements**:
- Job offer from Hungarian employer
- Employer handles much of process
- Work permit (combined with residence)
- Valid passport
- Clean criminal record
- Health insurance

**Process**:
1. Employer applies for work permit
2. You apply for Type D visa at embassy
3. Enter Hungary
4. Apply for residence permit (within 30 days)

**Duration**: 1-3 years, renewable

### EU Blue Card

**For highly qualified workers**

**Requirements**:
- University degree or 5+ years experience
- Job offer with salary above threshold (~€2,000/month)
- Contract for 1+ years

**Benefits**:
- Easier family reunification
- Path to permanent residence
- EU mobility after 18 months

### Digital Nomad Visa (White Card)

**Since 2022** — for remote workers

**Requirements**:
- Work for foreign company or self-employed abroad
- Income >€2,000/month (proven)
- Health insurance
- Clean criminal record
- Not working for Hungarian clients

**Duration**: 1 year, renewable once (2 years max)
**Processing**: ~30 days
**Cost**: ~€100 application fee

**Documents**:
- Passport
- Employment contract or proof of self-employment
- Bank statements (6 months)
- Health insurance
- Accommodation proof
- Criminal record certificate

### Student Residence

**For enrolled students**

**Requirements**:
- Acceptance at Hungarian institution
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
- Accommodation

**Duration**: Length of study
**Work allowed**: Part-time (20 hrs/week)

### Family Reunification

**For family members of residents**

**Categories**:
- Spouse
- Minor children
- Dependent parents (some cases)

**Process**: Sponsor applies, family member interviews

### Investor/Entrepreneur

**For business owners**

**Options**:
- Company formation + residence permit
- Significant investment routes
- Start-up visa (limited)

**Requirements vary** by business type and investment level.

## The Application Process

### Where to Apply

**From abroad**:
- Hungarian embassy/consulate
- In person interview usually
- Apply before travel

**From within Hungary** (some cases):
- Immigration Office (OIF)
- Must have legal status
- Not all permit types

### Processing Times

| Type | Typical Time |
|------|--------------|
| Short-stay visa | 15 days |
| Long-stay (Type D) | 30-60 days |
| Residence permit | 21-70 days |
| Digital nomad | 30 days |
| EU Blue Card | 30-60 days |

### Required Documents (General)

**Almost always needed**:
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- Passport photos
- Application form
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
- Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
- Purpose-specific documents

### Costs

| Item | Cost (approx) |
|------|---------------|
| Short-stay visa | €80 |
| Long-stay visa | €60-100 |
| Residence permit | €60-100 |
| Renewal | €60 |
| Digital nomad | €100 |

## Immigration Office (OIF)

**Main office**: 
- Budafoki út 60, Budapest
- M4 or tram 4 to Móricz Zsigmond körtér

**Tips**:
- Book appointment online
- Arrive early
- Bring ALL documents
- Limited English (bring translator if needed)
- Long waits possible
- Cash for fees

## Permanent Residence

### After 5 Years

**Requirements**:
- 5 years continuous legal residence
- Stable income
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- Basic Hungarian language (in theory)
- No major crimes

**Benefits**:
- No renewal needed
- Work without permit
- More rights
- Path to citizenship

## Hungarian Citizenship

### By Naturalization

**Requirements**:
- 8 years residence (or 5 if married to Hungarian)
- Pass Hungarian language exam
- Pass Hungarian history/culture exam
- Clean criminal record
- Stable livelihood

**Dual citizenship**: Allowed

### Simplified Naturalization

**For ethnic Hungarians** (ancestors were Hungarian citizens):
- Faster process
- Language requirement still applies
- Many in diaspora eligible

## Common Issues

### Address Registration

- Required for most permits
- Landlord must cooperate
- Can be difficult — discuss before signing lease

### Work Permit Delays

- Employer-dependent process
- Can take months
- Start early

### Renewal Timing

- Apply 30+ days before expiry
- Legal to stay while pending
- Don't let permits lapse

### Traveling While Pending

- Can be problematic
- Consult OIF before travel
- Keep documentation

## Practical Tips

### Documentation

- **Apostille everything** from home country
- **Translate officially** if not in English/Hungarian
- **Multiple copies** of everything
- **Original + copy** always

### Professional Help

**Consider immigration lawyer if**:
- Complex case
- Refusal risk
- Time-sensitive
- Language barrier
- Business immigration

**Costs**: €500-2,000 depending on case

### Timeline Planning

- Start 3-6 months before planned move
- Gather documents early
- Embassy appointments can have long waits
- Build in buffer time

## Resources

### Official

- **OIF**: [oif.gov.hu](http://www.oif.gov.hu)
- **Ministry of Foreign Affairs**: Embassy information
- **Enter Hungary**: Online application system

### Community

- Expat forums (experiences)
- Facebook groups
- Embassy websites
- Immigration lawyers


path: visitor-attractions.md
content: # Budapest Attractions Guide

## Must-See (Don't Miss)

### Buda Castle District (UNESCO)
- **Castle itself**: Royal Palace, now museums (National Gallery, History Museum)
- **Fisherman's Bastion**: Neo-Romanesque terrace, best city views, free outside upper terrace
- **Matthias Church**: Stunning Gothic church, hosts concerts
- **Funicular**: Scenic but often queued; walking up is easy and rewarding
- **Best time**: Sunset for views, early morning to avoid crowds

### Hungarian Parliament
- **Exterior**: Third largest parliament building in the world, neo-Gothic masterpiece
- **Interior**: Guided tours only, book online in advance (sells out)
- **Night view**: Spectacular illumination, best from Buda side
- **Tip**: EU citizens get discounted tickets

### Thermal Baths
- **Széchenyi**: Iconic yellow complex, largest in Europe, year-round outdoor
- **Gellért**: Art Nouveau beauty, elegant atmosphere
- **Rudas**: Ottoman-era authenticity, rooftop pool
- **Budget**: ~4,000-8,000 HUF entry depending on bath and locker type

### St. Stephen's Basilica
- **Interior**: Impressive neoclassical, houses Holy Right Hand relic
- **Tower**: Panoramic views (lift available)
- **Concerts**: Regular classical performances
- **Free entry**: Donations appreciated

### Chain Bridge & Danube Banks
- **Chain Bridge**: Iconic 1849 suspension bridge (renovated 2023)
- **Shoes on the Danube**: Powerful Holocaust memorial
- **Danube promenade**: Both sides beautiful for walking
- **Tram 2**: Scenic route along Pest embankment

### Ruin Bars (District VII)
- **Szimpla Kert**: The original, must-see even if touristy
- **Best time**: Late afternoon for photos, night for atmosphere
- **Sunday market**: Szimpla hosts farmers market Sunday mornings

### Heroes' Square & City Park
- **Heroes' Square**: UNESCO site, monumental statues
- **Vajdahunyad Castle**: Eclectic castle in park, free grounds
- **City Park**: Ice skating (winter), boating lake (summer)
- **Széchenyi Bath**: Located here

## Worth Visiting

### Gellért Hill & Citadella
- **Views**: Arguably best panorama of entire city
- **Citadella**: Habsburg fortress, sunset hotspot
- **Liberty Statue**: Iconic symbol visible citywide
- **Cave Church**: Unique chapel built into hillside

### Margaret Island
- **Car-free oasis**: Parks, running track, gardens
- **Palatinus Beach**: Outdoor thermal complex (summer)
- **Musical fountain**: Light shows summer evenings
- **Rentable**: Bikes, pedal cars, golf carts

### Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok)
- **Ground floor**: Fresh produce, meats, pickles
- **Upper floor**: Souvenirs, food stalls (lángos, kolbász)
- **Best time**: Morning for authentic shopping, avoid cruise ship crowds
- **Closed**: Sunday

### House of Terror
- **Location**: Andrássy Avenue (former secret police HQ)
- **Content**: Fascist and Communist terror documentation
- **Heavy**: Allow 2-3 hours, emotionally intense
- **Audio guide**: Essential for context

### Dohány Street Synagogue
- **Largest in Europe**: Stunning Moorish Revival architecture
- **Memorial garden**: Tree of Life Holocaust memorial
- **Tours**: Includes Jewish Quarter walking option
- **Closed**: Saturday (Shabbat)

### Hungarian State Opera House
- **Tours**: Daily, showcasing neo-Renaissance interior
- **Performances**: High quality, surprisingly affordable
- **Andrássy Avenue**: UNESCO World Heritage boulevard

### Hospital in the Rock
- **Underground**: WWII hospital and Cold War bunker
- **Guided tours only**: Fascinating Cold War history
- **Book ahead**: Limited capacity

## Skip or Low Priority

### Madame Tussauds / Wax Museum
Generic, overpriced, nothing unique to Budapest.

### Budapest Eye (Ferris Wheel)
Small, expensive, better views free from Gellért Hill.

### Labyrinth of Buda Castle
Often closed, tourist trap when open.

### Pálinka Museum
Commercial venture disguised as museum. Just visit a good bar.

### Tourist Dinner Cruises
Overpriced food, better to do separate boat trip + restaurant.

### Castle District souvenir shops
Marked up 300%. Buy souvenirs at Central Market or local shops.

## Day Trips

### Szentendre (30 min)
- **What**: Charming artists' village on Danube bend
- **How**: HÉV suburban train from Batthyány tér
- **See**: Cobblestone streets, galleries, Serbian churches
- **Combine**: Can continue to Visegrád by boat

### Visegrád (1.5 hours)
- **What**: Medieval castle ruins, stunning Danube views
- **How**: Bus from Újpest-Városkapu or boat from Vigadó
- **See**: Citadel, Royal Palace ruins, bobsled run
- **Tip**: Best combined with Szentendre or Esztergom

### Esztergom (1.5 hours)
- **What**: Hungary's largest church, border town with Slovakia
- **How**: Direct train from Nyugati station
- **See**: Basilica (views from dome), Castle, walk to Slovakia

### Gödöllő Palace (45 min)
- **What**: Habsburg summer palace, Empress Sisi's favorite
- **How**: HÉV from Örs vezér tere
- **See**: Royal apartments, extensive gardens

### Lake Balaton (1.5-2 hours)
- **What**: Central Europe's largest lake
- **How**: Train from Déli station
- **Summer**: Swimming, sailing, wine region
- **Towns**: Balatonfüred, Tihany, Siófok

### Etyek Wine Region (40 min)
- **What**: Rolling hills, wine cellars, cheese
- **How**: Best by car or organized tour
- **Why**: Closest wine region, easy half-day trip

## Seasonal Events

### Spring (Mar-May)
- **Budapest Spring Festival**: Classical music, arts (late March/April)
- **Easter markets**: Traditional crafts, painted eggs
- **Cherry blossoms**: Beautiful on Gellért Hill

### Summer (Jun-Aug)
- **Sziget Festival**: Massive music festival, Margaret Island (August)
- **Open-air cinemas**: Various locations
- **Rooftop bars**: Peak season
- **Margaret Island**: Outdoor activities, concerts

### Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- **Budapest Wine Festival**: Castle District (September)
- **Contemporary art week**: Gallery openings
- **Shoulder season**: Fewer tourists, good weather

### Winter (Dec-Feb)
- **Christmas markets**: Vörösmarty Square, St. Stephen's (late Nov-Dec)
- **Ice rink**: City Park (Europe's largest outdoor)
- **Thermal baths**: Magical with steam rising in cold air
- **New Year's**: Street parties, fireworks over Danube

## Practical Tips

### Skip the Lines
- Book Parliament tours online 2+ weeks ahead
- Thermal baths: arrive early (opening) or after 4pm
- Ruin bars: go Thursday instead of Saturday
- Bastion upper terrace: arrive before 9am

### Free Things
- Walking the Castle District
- Danube embankment walks
- Margaret Island (except rentals)
- Church interiors (donations appreciated)
- Fisherman's Bastion lower levels
- City Park and all parks
- Many museums free on certain days

### Budapest Card
- Worth it if doing 3+ museums + heavy transit use
- 24/48/72 hour options
- Includes unlimited transit, museum entries, discounts
- Calculate based on your plans


path: visitor-itineraries.md
content: # Budapest Itineraries

## 1 Day — Essential Highlights

**Theme**: See the icons, taste the culture

### Morning (9:00-13:00)
- **9:00** Start at Széchenyi Thermal Bath (2 hours)
  - Arrive at opening to avoid crowds
  - Experience outdoor pools, steam rooms
- **11:30** Walk through City Park
  - Vajdahunyad Castle exterior
  - Heroes' Square photos
- **12:30** Lunch in District VI
  - Recommendation: Menza (Hungarian classics, modern twist)
  - Or grab lángos from street vendor

### Afternoon (13:30-18:00)
- **13:30** Walk down Andrássy Avenue
  - Opera House exterior (or quick tour if time)
  - Terror House (exterior only if 1 day)
- **14:30** St. Stephen's Basilica
  - Interior + tower for views (30-45 min)
- **15:30** Walk to Parliament
  - Exterior photos, Shoes on the Danube memorial
- **16:30** Cross Chain Bridge to Buda
- **17:00** Funicular or walk up to Castle District
  - Fisherman's Bastion for sunset views
  - Matthias Church exterior

### Evening (18:30+)
- **18:30** Dinner in Castle District or District V
  - Upscale: Halászbástya Restaurant (views + Hungarian)
  - Budget: walk back to Pest
- **20:30** Szimpla Kert ruin bar
  - One drink minimum at the original
- **22:00** Night walk along Danube
  - Parliament illuminated

## 3 Days — Proper Exploration

### Day 1: Buda & Castle

**Morning**
- **9:00** Buda Castle District
  - Matthias Church (interior)
  - Fisherman's Bastion (early = no crowds)
  - Walk the medieval streets
  - Hospital in the Rock tour (book ahead)
- **12:30** Lunch: Baltazár or Zone for views

**Afternoon**
- **14:00** Gellért Hill climb
  - Cave Church on the way
  - Citadella and Liberty Statue
  - Panoramic views of entire city
- **16:00** Gellért Bath
  - Art Nouveau splendor
  - 2 hours minimum

**Evening**
- **19:00** Dinner in District XI
  - Hadik Kávéház for local vibe
- **21:00** Walk Chain Bridge at night

### Day 2: Pest & Culture

**Morning**
- **9:00** Great Market Hall
  - Browse ground floor
  - Breakfast upstairs (lángos, kolbász)
- **10:30** Dohány Street Synagogue + Jewish Quarter walk
  - Book tour in advance
- **12:30** Lunch: Mazel Tov or Kőleves

**Afternoon**
- **14:00** Walk Andrássy Avenue
  - House of Terror (2 hours, intense)
- **16:30** Heroes' Square & City Park
  - Vajdahunyad Castle walk
- **17:30** Széchenyi Bath
  - Late afternoon less crowded

**Evening**
- **20:00** Ruin bar hopping
  - Start Szimpla Kert
  - Continue Instant-Fogas
  - End at Ellátó Kert (more local)

### Day 3: Hidden Gems & Day Trip

**Option A: Szentendre Day Trip**

**Morning**
- **9:00** HÉV train to Szentendre (40 min)
- **10:00** Explore artists' village
  - Cobblestone streets, galleries
  - Serbian Orthodox churches
  - Marzipan Museum (optional)
- **12:00** Lunch riverside

**Afternoon**
- **14:00** Return to Budapest
- **15:00** Margaret Island
  - Rent bike or pedal car
  - Musical fountain (summer)
- **17:30** Rudas Bath rooftop pool
  - City views at sunset

**Evening**
- **19:30** Fine dining experience
  - Borkonyha (Michelin star, Hungarian)
  - Or Kéhli for traditional

**Option B: Local Budapest**

**Morning**
- **9:30** District VIII walking
  - Corvin Cinema area (formerly rough, now trendy)
  - Local cafes, antique shops
- **11:00** Applied Arts Museum (Art Nouveau)
- **12:30** Lunch: Csiga Café

**Afternoon**
- **14:00** Kerepesi Cemetery
  - Monumental tombs, peaceful
- **15:30** Rákóczi Square area
  - Local market vibe
- **17:00** Király Bath
  - Ottoman authenticity, smaller crowds

**Evening**
- **19:00** Opera performance
  - Book ahead, surprisingly affordable
- **22:00** Late-night wine bar
  - Doblo or DiVino

## 7 Days — Complete Budapest

### Days 1-3
Follow 3-day itinerary above.

### Day 4: Danube Bend

**Full Day Excursion**
- **8:30** Train/bus to Esztergom (1.5 hours)
- **10:00** Esztergom Basilica
  - Largest church in Hungary
  - Climb dome for views
  - Walk across bridge to Slovakia (Maria Valeria)
- **12:30** Lunch in Esztergom
- **14:00** Bus to Visegrád (45 min)
  - Citadel climb (challenging but worth it)
  - Royal Palace ruins
- **17:00** Boat or bus back to Budapest

### Day 5: Palace & Wine

**Morning**
- **9:00** Train to Gödöllő (45 min)
- **10:00** Gödöllő Royal Palace
  - Empress Sisi's summer retreat
  - 2 hours for full tour
- **12:30** Lunch in Gödöllő

**Afternoon**
- **14:00** Return to Budapest
- **15:30** Etyek wine trip (car/taxi recommended)
  - 2-3 wineries
  - Local cheese tasting
- **20:00** Dinner in wine region or return

### Day 6: Districts Deep Dive

**Morning**
- **9:30** District XIII (office district)
  - Margaret Bridge
  - Modern Budapest architecture
  - Breakfast at local café
- **11:00** Lehel Market
  - Less touristy than Great Market Hall
  - Real local shopping

**Afternoon**
- **13:00** Lunch: Pozsonyi Kisvendéglő
- **14:30** District IX walk
  - Ráday Street (café culture)
  - Central European University area
- **16:30** Palatinus Beach (summer) or
  - Aquincum Roman ruins (year-round)

**Evening**
- **19:00** Dinner in District IX
- **21:00** Live music venue
  - A38 Ship or Akvárium Klub

### Day 7: Your Choice + Departure

**Options Based on Interest**

**Art & Museums**
- Museum of Fine Arts (European masters)
- Ludwig Museum (contemporary)
- House of Hungarian Art Nouveau

**Architecture**
- Parliament interior tour (book ahead!)
- Postal Savings Bank (Lechner masterpiece, exterior)
- New York Café (opulent, have coffee)

**Markets & Shopping**
- Ecseri Flea Market (weekends)
- Szimpla Sunday farmers market
- Fashion Street (mainstream shopping)

**Relaxation**
- Second thermal bath visit
- Margaret Island full day
- Café hopping and reading

**Final Evening**
- **17:00** Last sunset from Gellért Hill
- **19:00** Farewell dinner
  - Onyx for splurge (Michelin)
  - Rosenstein for authentic Hungarian

## Themed Itineraries

### History Focus (3 days)
1. Castle District + House of Terror + Jewish Quarter
2. Parliament + Holocaust memorials + Memento Park (Soviet statues)
3. Esztergom (religious history) + Aquincum (Roman)

### Food & Wine (3 days)
1. Market Hall + cooking class + wine bars
2. Etyek wine region + fine dining
3. Food tour + Tokaji wine tasting + ruin bars

### Wellness (3 days)
1. Széchenyi + City Park + healthy dinner
2. Gellért + yoga + Rudas night
3. Margaret Island + Király + thermal wrap spa

### Budget Traveler (4 days)
- Free walking tours (tip-based)
- Thermal baths: Palatinus (summer) or Lukács (cheapest)
- Eat at markets and self-cater
- Free museums on designated days
- Ruin bars (cheap drinks)
- Total possible: €50-70/day including hostel

### Romantic Couple (3 days)
1. Castle sunset + fine dining + Chain Bridge walk
2. Couples spa treatment + wine tasting + Opera
3. Szentendre day trip + river cruise dinner

## Practical Routing Tips

### Walking Distances
- Castle District circuit: 2-3 km
- Pest center (Parliament to Market Hall): 2 km
- Andrássy Avenue full length: 2.5 km
- Gellért Hill climb: 1 km but steep

### Transit Notes
- Metro closes ~23:30, night buses replace
- Tram 2 is tourist-scenic (Danube view)
- HÉV to Szentendre: 40 min, use monthly pass
- Airport: Bus 200E + Metro or miniBUD shuttle

### Energy Management
- Thermal baths = recovery, schedule after walking days
- Castle District is uphill — do morning when fresh
- Museum days = rest legs
- Ruin bars = late night, don't plan early next day

### Weather Adjustments
- **Rain**: Museums, covered market, thermal baths
- **Heat**: Morning activities, afternoon baths, evening walks
- **Cold**: Thermal baths become the activity, warm cafés
- **Snow**: Castle District magical but slippery


path: visitor-lodging.md
content: # Budapest Lodging Guide

## District Overview for Visitors

### District V (Belváros-Lipótváros) — Premium Central
**Best for**: First-time visitors, luxury seekers, business travelers
- Parliament, Chain Bridge, St. Stephen's all walkable
- Highest prices but most convenient
- Quiet at night (no ruin bars)
- **Price range**: €80-300/night

**Pros**: Walk everywhere, safe, beautiful architecture
**Cons**: Tourist prices, can feel sterile, limited nightlife

### District VI (Terézváros) — Sweet Spot
**Best for**: Most visitors, balance of location/price
- Andrássy Avenue, Opera House, restaurants
- Good metro connections (M1)
- Mix of tourists and locals
- **Price range**: €50-180/night

**Pros**: Central without premium prices, great restaurants
**Cons**: Can be noisy on main streets

### District VII (Erzsébetváros) — Party Central
**Best for**: Nightlife lovers, young travelers, hostel seekers
- Ruin bars, Jewish Quarter, Szimpla
- Authentic but touristy
- Very lively (read: loud) at night
- **Price range**: €30-150/night

**Pros**: Atmosphere, cheap eats, walking distance everywhere
**Cons**: Loud at night, weekend crowds, some rough edges

### District I (Castle District) — Historic Luxury
**Best for**: Romance, special occasions, quiet retreat
- Inside the UNESCO zone
- Stunning but limited dining options
- Very quiet at night
- **Price range**: €100-400/night

**Pros**: Magical location, views, prestige
**Cons**: Far from restaurants/nightlife, uphill from everything

### District VIII (Józsefváros) — Budget Authentic
**Best for**: Budget travelers, long-stayers, locals vibe
- Rapidly gentrifying, still affordable
- Near Keleti station
- More rough around edges
- **Price range**: €25-100/night

**Pros**: Real Budapest, cheap, good transport
**Cons**: Less polished, some sketchy blocks

## Hotels by Category

### Luxury (€200-500+/night)

**Four Seasons Gresham Palace** ★★★★★
- District V, Chain Bridge views
- Art Nouveau masterpiece building
- Top service, spa, fine dining
- ~€400-800/night

**The Ritz-Carlton** ★★★★★
- District V, near Parliament
- Modern luxury, excellent spa
- Rooftop Kupola Lounge
- ~€300-600/night

**Aria Hotel** ★★★★★
- District V, music-themed boutique
- Rooftop bar with Basilica views
- Smaller, more intimate
- ~€250-450/night

**Párisi Udvar Hotel** ★★★★★
- District V, stunning arcade building
- Hyatt property, ornate interiors
- Central location
- ~€200-400/night

### Upscale (€100-200/night)

**Baltazár** ★★★★
- District I, Castle District
- Boutique charmer, great restaurant
- 11 rooms only, book ahead
- ~€150-250/night

**Moments Budapest** ★★★★
- District V, Andrássy Avenue
- Modern design hotel
- Good value for location
- ~€100-180/night

**Hotel Rum** ★★★★
- District VII, Jewish Quarter edge
- Hip design, great bar
- Walking distance to nightlife
- ~€90-160/night

**Brody House** ★★★★
- District VIII, artistic vibe
- Each room unique, gallery spaces
- Creative crowd, events
- ~€100-200/night

### Mid-Range (€50-100/night)

**Hotel Palazzo Zichy** ★★★★
- District VIII, historic palace
- Great value for quality
- Near Keleti station
- ~€70-120/night

**Roombach Hotel** ★★★
- District VII, ruin bar adjacent
- Simple but stylish
- Good breakfast
- ~€60-100/night

**Bo33 Hotel** ★★★
- District VI, family-friendly
- Good amenities for price
- Quiet street
- ~€50-90/night

**Ibis Styles Budapest Center** ★★★
- District VII, reliable chain
- Modern, consistent quality
- Near Blaha metro
- ~€50-80/night

### Budget (€25-60/night)

**Maverick City Lodge** ★★★
- District VII, private rooms
- Hostel quality, hotel privacy
- Great social atmosphere
- ~€40-70/night

**Hotel Erzsebet City Center** ★★★
- District VII, basic but clean
- Unbeatable location
- Simple rooms
- ~€35-55/night

**Flow Hostel** ★★★
- District VI, boutique hostel
- Modern, clean, social
- Private rooms available
- ~€25-50/night (dorm €15-25)

**Wombats City Hostel** ★★★
- District VI, reliable chain
- Good facilities, bar
- Dorms and privates
- ~€20-45/night (dorm €12-20)

## Apartment Rentals

### Where to Book
- **Airbnb**: Largest selection, varying quality
- **Booking.com Apartments**: More vetted, easier cancellation
- **Flatio**: Long-term (1+ month), verified landlords
- **Spotahome**: 1+ month, virtual tours

### Best Districts for Apartments
1. **District V/VI border**: Walkable, quieter than VII
2. **District XIII**: Modern buildings, near river
3. **District II**: Buda side, quieter, more space
4. **District VII**: Atmosphere but noise at night

### Average Prices (2026)
| Type | Short-term (night) | Monthly |
|------|-------------------|---------|
| Studio | €40-70 | €600-1,000 |
| 1BR | €50-100 | €700-1,200 |
| 2BR | €80-150 | €1,000-1,800 |

### Red Flags
- No reviews or only 5-star reviews
- Price too good to be true
- Asks for payment outside platform
- Refuses video call/tour
- Utility costs not specified
- No clear contract

### Airbnb Tips
- Book places with 20+ reviews
- Look for Superhost badge
- Check exact location (some say "center" but aren't)
- Read noise complaints in reviews
- Ask about heating costs in winter

## Boutique & Unique Stays

### Architectural Gems

**New York Palace** (Anantara)
- The famous café below, rooms above
- Over-the-top opulence
- Experience more than just hotel

**Mystery Hotel Budapest**
- Masonic-themed design
- Theatrical interiors
- District V location

**Hotel Clark**
- Modern design, Buda Castle views
- Newer property, excellent quality
- Named after Chain Bridge builder

### Unique Experiences

**Brody House** — Live in an art gallery
**A38 Ship** — Not a hotel but unique hostel events nearby
**Lavender Circus** — Boutique hostel in historic villa
**Maison Bistro & Hotel** — French-Hungarian fusion stay

## Seasonal Booking Tips

### High Season (Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct)
- Book 2-3 weeks ahead
- Prices 30-50% higher
- Best weather, most tourists
- Festivals drive prices up

### Peak Events
- **F1 Hungarian Grand Prix (August)**: Book 2+ months, 100% markup
- **Sziget Festival (August)**: Same weekend insane
- **Christmas Markets (Dec)**: Book 1+ month ahead
- **New Year's Eve**: 2-3x normal prices

### Low Season (Nov-Mar, except holidays)
- Deals available last-minute
- 30-50% discounts common
- Ask for upgrades
- Some boutique hotels close for renovation

### Summer (Jul-Aug)
- Mixed — tourists but also locals leaving
- Hot — check for AC (many old buildings lack)
- Thermal baths and outdoor activities

## Location Strategy

### Near Specific Attractions

**Parliament**: District V, north end
**Ruin Bars**: District VII, around Kazinczy utca
**Thermal Baths**: District XIV (Széchenyi) or XI (Gellért)
**Opera/Andrássy**: District VI
**Castle District**: District I (but limited options)

### Near Transport Hubs

**Keleti Station** (international trains): District VIII
**Nyugati Station**: District VI
**Déli Station** (Balaton trains): District I
**Airport**: Consider District IX for easier access

### Walking Radius from Center

District V center (Deák tér) to:
- Parliament: 15 min
- Castle District: 25 min (includes bridge + hill)
- Ruin Bars: 10 min
- Great Market Hall: 15 min
- Széchenyi Bath: 30 min or 15 min metro

## Accommodation Tips

### What to Check
- **AC**: Essential June-August, rare in old buildings
- **Heating**: Essential November-March, ask about costs
- **Elevator**: Many 5-floor buildings have none
- **Noise**: Street side vs courtyard makes huge difference
- **WiFi**: Usually fine but verify for work

### Hungarian Specifics
- **Kurtax**: Tourist tax ~€2/night added to bill
- **Breakfast**: Often not included, better value at cafés anyway
- **Reception hours**: Some small hotels unmanned at night
- **Cash**: Some budget places still prefer cash

### Safety
Budapest is generally very safe. No districts are dangerous for tourists, though:
- District VIII has some rougher blocks
- District VII late night = drunk tourists, occasional pickpockets
- Normal city precautions apply


path: visitor-tips.md
content: # Budapest Visitor Tips

## Before You Go

### Documents
- **EU citizens**: ID card sufficient
- **Non-EU**: Passport, check visa requirements
- **Schengen**: 90 days in 180 max without visa
- **Student cards**: ISIC for discounts

### Money
- **Currency**: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
- **Exchange rate**: ~400 HUF = €1 (fluctuates)
- **Cards**: Widely accepted in center, less outside
- **Cash**: Keep some for markets, small shops, tips
- **ATMs**: Use bank ATMs, avoid exchange offices (poor rates)
- **Tip**: Never use airport exchanges

### Apps to Download
- **BKK Futár**: Official transit app, real-time arrivals
- **Bolt**: Ride-hailing (cheaper than taxi)
- **Google Maps**: Works well for transit routing
- **Wise/Revolut**: Best exchange rates for spending
- **Szechenyi/Gellert apps**: Bath booking

### SIM Cards
- **Providers**: Telekom, Vodafone, Yettel
- **Where**: Airport, any mall, provider shops
- **Cost**: ~3,000-5,000 HUF for tourist SIM with data
- **EU roaming**: If you have EU SIM, it works here

### Language
- **Hungarian**: Extremely difficult (not Indo-European)
- **English**: Good in center, tourist areas, young people
- **German**: Older generation may speak it
- **Useful phrases**:
  - Köszönöm (kur-sur-nurm) = Thank you
  - Szia (see-ya) = Hi/Bye (informal)
  - Igen/Nem = Yes/No
  - Elnézést = Excuse me
  - Egészségedre (eg-ay-shay-ged-reh) = Cheers

## Getting There

### From Airport (BUD)
- **Distance**: 16 km southeast of center
- **Bus 200E + Metro**: Cheapest (~900 HUF), 45-60 min
  - Bus to Kőbánya-Kispest → M3 to center
- **Airport shuttle (miniBUD)**: ~5,000 HUF, door-to-door
- **Bolt/Taxi**: ~8,000-12,000 HUF, 25-40 min
- **Private transfer**: Book ahead, ~€25-35

### By Train
- **Keleti**: Main station, international trains
- **Nyugati**: Some domestic + international
- **Déli**: Balaton direction
- All connected by metro

### By Bus
- **Népliget**: Main bus station (Flixbus, etc.)
- **Metro M3** connected

## Getting Around

### Public Transit (BKK)
- **Metro**: 4 lines (M1-M4), clean, frequent
- **Trams**: Extensive network, scenic routes
- **Buses**: Cover everywhere metro doesn't
- **Night buses**: When metro closes (~23:30-4:30)

### Tickets
- **Single**: ~450 HUF (validate on board!)
- **10-pack**: Better value
- **24h pass**: ~2,500 HUF — worth it for heavy use
- **72h pass**: ~5,500 HUF
- **Monthly**: ~9,500 HUF
- **Buy from**: Machines (card/cash), BKK app, newsagents
- **Validation**: MUST validate paper tickets

### Ticket Inspectors
- Plainclothes, show badges
- Fine: ~16,000 HUF on spot, more if you argue
- No excuse for not having valid ticket
- They target tourists, especially near ruin bars

### Taxi/Ride-hailing
- **Bolt**: Best app, cheapest, reliable
- **Főtaxi**: Official taxi, yellow cars, metered
- **NEVER**: Hail random taxis (scam risk)
- **Cost**: ~300-400 HUF/km + base

### Walking
- Very walkable city
- Pest side flat, easy
- Buda side hilly, wear good shoes
- Danube embankments beautiful for walks

### Biking
- **MOL Bubi**: City bike share, ~500 HUF/day
- Improving bike lanes
- Flat on Pest side
- Margaret Island car-free, great for cycling

## Money Tips

### Avoiding Scams
- **Exchange offices**: Terrible rates, avoid completely
- **Restaurant bills**: Check itemized, tourist traps add items
- **"Tourist menus"**: Usually overpriced, order à la carte
- **Taxis**: Only Bolt or official Főtaxi
- **ATMs**: Use bank ATMs, decline dynamic conversion

### Best Exchange
1. Use Wise/Revolut card (best rate)
2. Withdraw from bank ATM in HUF
3. Never exchange at airport/touristy exchanges
4. If must exchange: central banks, compare rates

### Tipping
- **Restaurants**: 10-15% standard (check if included)
- **Bars**: Round up or 10%
- **Taxis**: Round up
- **Hotels**: €1-2/night for housekeeping
- **Thermal baths**: Not expected
- **How**: Say amount when paying or leave on table

### Rough Costs (2026)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|------|--------|-----------|
| Hostel dorm | €12-20 | — |
| Hotel (3★) | — | €50-80 |
| Meal (local) | €5-10 | €15-25 |
| Beer (bar) | €2-3 | €3-5 |
| Coffee | €2-3 | €3-5 |
| Thermal bath | €15-20 | €20-30 |
| Day budget | €40-60 | €80-120 |

## Eating & Drinking

### Meal Times
- **Breakfast**: 7-10am
- **Lunch**: 12-2pm (locals eat main meal here)
- **Dinner**: 7-9pm (later at weekends)
- **Kitchens close**: Often 10-10:30pm

### Restaurant Types
- **Étterem**: Restaurant (formal)
- **Vendéglő**: Tavern (traditional, cheaper)
- **Kávéház**: Coffee house (grand, cakes)
- **Borozó**: Wine bar
- **Söröző**: Beer bar
- **Büfé**: Fast food/cafeteria

### Must-Try Foods
- **Gulyás**: The real goulash (soup, not stew)
- **Lángos**: Fried dough with toppings
- **Kürtőskalács**: Chimney cake
- **Töltött káposzta**: Stuffed cabbage
- **Halászlé**: Fish soup (spicy)
- **Pörkölt**: What foreigners think goulash is
- **Túrós csusza**: Pasta with cottage cheese
- **Dobos torta**: Layer cake with caramel

### Drinking
- **Pálinka**: Fruit brandy, 40-50%, traditional
- **Wine**: Excellent Hungarian wines (Tokaji, Eger, Villány)
- **Beer**: Local craft scene growing
- **Legal age**: 18
- **Ruin bars**: Cheap drinks, amazing atmosphere

### Dietary Notes
- Vegetarian: Improving but meat-heavy cuisine
- Vegan: Trendy in center, harder outside
- Gluten-free: Ask, awareness growing
- Kosher: Jewish Quarter has options

## Thermal Bath Etiquette

### What to Bring
- **Swimsuit**: Required in mixed areas
- **Flip-flops**: Rentable but own is better
- **Towel**: Rentable (~1,500 HUF)
- **Swimming cap**: Required in some pools
- **Lock**: Most provide, some need deposit

### Etiquette
- Shower before entering pools
- No phones in water areas
- Quiet in steam rooms
- Different pools = different temperatures (check)
- Some sections nude (usually marked, single-sex)

### Popular Baths

| Bath | Vibe | Best For |
|------|------|----------|
| Széchenyi | Grand, touristy | First-timers, outdoor |
| Gellért | Elegant, classic | Architecture lovers |
| Rudas | Ottoman, rooftop | Views, authenticity |
| Király | Small, local | True Ottoman experience |
| Lukács | Budget, local | Regulars, cheap entry |
| Palatinus | Outdoor complex | Summer, families |

## Safety

### General
Budapest is very safe for a capital city.
- Violent crime rare against tourists
- Pickpockets exist (transport, tourist areas)
- Watch belongings in ruin bars
- Normal city awareness applies

### Scams to Avoid
- **Pretty women scam**: Attractive women invite to bar → huge bill
- **Taxi overcharging**: Use Bolt or Főtaxi only
- **Exchange offices**: Poor rates, just avoid
- **Street money changers**: Illegal, always a scam
- **"Helpful" strangers at ATMs**: Decline

### Areas
- **No truly dangerous areas** for daytime tourists
- District VIII (Józsefváros): More rough but gentrifying
- Late night District VII: Drunk tourists, occasional trouble
- Use normal awareness after midnight

### Emergency Numbers
- **112**: General emergency (EU standard)
- **104**: Ambulance
- **105**: Fire
- **107**: Police

## Cultural Tips

### Greetings
- Handshake standard for first meeting
- Kiss on both cheeks (right first) common among friends
- Hungarians use formal "you" (Ön) with strangers

### Visiting Homes
- Bring gift (wine, flowers, chocolates)
- Remove shoes at door
- Don't start eating until host says "Jó étvágyat"
- Empty your plate (leaving food can offend)

### Churches
- Dress modestly (shoulders, knees covered)
- Quiet during services
- Photography usually allowed (no flash)
- Small donation appreciated

### Toasting
- "Egészségedre!" (to your health)
- Look people in eyes when clinking
- **Don't clink beer glasses** (historical superstition)
- Clinking wine/pálinka is fine

## Day Trip Essentials

### Szentendre (Art Village)
- **Get there**: HÉV from Batthyány tér (40 min)
- **Do**: Wander cobblestones, galleries, marzipan museum
- **Eat**: Riverside restaurants
- **Combine**: Boat to Visegrád possible

### Visegrád (Castle)
- **Get there**: Bus from Újpest-Városkapu (1 hour)
- **Do**: Climb citadel, royal palace ruins, bobsled
- **Note**: Castle is uphill hike, good shoes needed

### Esztergom (Basilica)
- **Get there**: Train from Nyugati (1.5 hours)
- **Do**: Biggest church in Hungary, walk to Slovakia
- **Note**: Sunday services limit tourist access

### Lake Balaton
- **Get there**: Train from Déli (1.5-2 hours)
- **Summer**: Swimming, sailing, wine
- **Best towns**: Tihany, Balatonfüred, Badacsony
- **Off-season**: Quiet, some places closed

### Etyek (Wine)
- **Get there**: Car/taxi (40 min) or organized tour
- **Do**: Wine tasting, cheese, rolling hills
- **Note**: Not walkable between wineries, need transport

## Seasonal Considerations

### Spring (Mar-May)
- Weather unpredictable, layers essential
- Cherry blossoms late April
- Easter traditions
- Fewer tourists

### Summer (Jun-Aug)
- Hot (30-38°C possible)
- AC not universal — check hotels
- Outdoor pools, rooftop bars
- Sziget Festival August

### Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- Beautiful foliage
- Wine harvest
- Thermal baths + cool air = magical
- Shoulder season deals

### Winter (Dec-Feb)
- Cold (-5 to 5°C, can drop lower)
- Christmas markets magical
- Thermal baths essential
- Ice skating in City Park
- Some outdoor attractions limited

## Useful Phrases

| English | Hungarian | Pronunciation |
|---------|-----------|---------------|
| Hello | Szia | SEE-ya |
| Please | Kérem | KAY-rem |
| Thank you | Köszönöm | KUR-sur-nurm |
| Yes/No | Igen/Nem | EE-gen/NEM |
| Excuse me | Elnézést | EL-nay-zaysht |
| How much? | Mennyibe kerül? | MEN-yee-beh KEH-rool |
| Bill please | Számlát kérek | SAM-lat KAY-rek |
| Cheers | Egészségedre | eg-AY-shay-ged-reh |
| I don't understand | Nem értem | NEM AIR-tem |
| Do you speak English? | Beszél angolul? | BES-ayl ON-go-lool |


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