Your Complete Car Rental Guide for Exploring Budapest with Ease
Budapest is a densely populated European city located in the north of Central Hungary. State capital; (it was formed as the capital in the 19th century, as a result of the merger of three cities: Buda, Obuda and Pest).
Budapest is the youngest capital in Europe, with a thousand-year history. Despite the fact that Budapest was founded less than two centuries ago, its history begins in the 1st century BC (from a settlement on the territory of the Romans). In the 16th century, the territory was attacked by the troops of the Ottoman Empire, who captured the cities of Buda and Pest; the cities were in their power for 145 years. After the liberation from the Turks, the cities became part of the Habsburg dynasty empire. After long sieges, Buda and Pest were practically destroyed, the plan for their large-scale reconstruction began to be implemented in the 18th century. At the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, the cities became the “golden capital of Europe”: the economy and cultural life in them reached an unprecedented flourishing.
Budapest combines a city with a long history (in the form of architectural monuments) and a modern metropolis.
The city is located on the banks of the Danube, through which there are bridges connecting Buda and Pest. Buda - the western hilly coast, reflecting calm and tranquility; Pest, the eastern flat coast, is more lively and vibrant. The population of the city is about 1.8 million people.
Climate: temperate continental. Summers are warm, without extreme temperatures; winter is quite mild. The city is characterized by high rainfall. The tourist season lasts from April to October; but for visiting Budapest is open all year round.
The area of the city is about 525 km2. Hungary is located in Central Europe, so a lot of attention is paid to road infrastructure. Highways are maintained in good condition, comfortable for traveling by car (you can rent a car for tourist trips).
Budapest is popular with tourists, primarily because of the large number of attractions. The city is famous for interesting museums, architectural monuments of different eras, beautiful nature.
Hungarian Parliament Building.
It is worth starting a tour of the picturesque places of the city from the Hungarian Parliament Building, which is located on the east bank of the Danube. The building, which is the largest building in Hungary, was built at the end of the 19th century. The building occupies an area equal to 18,000 m2; has more than 700 rooms; about 90 statues; 3 kilometers of red carpet spread out along the corridors.
An interesting fact: about 24 kilograms of gold were used to decorate the interior of the Hungarian Parliament Building.
The most spectacular place in the building is the domed hall (the diameter of the dome of the hall is 20 meters; the heightis about 27 meters).
At night, the Hungarian Parliament Building is illuminated, which makes it look like a fairy-tale castle.
This attraction is included in any tourist tour of the city; more than half a million tourists visit it annually.
The basilica was built in the 19th century in neoclassical style with neo-renaissance elements (the construction of the church lasted for 54 years). It is located on the east bank of the Danube (the historical region of Pest). The heightof the dome is 96 meters.
An interesting fact: the capacity of St. Stephen's Basilica is 8 thousand people.
The interior of the building includes many bas-reliefs, mosaics, and sculptures. The main sculpture of the church is a statue of St. Stephen, installed near the altar.
Under the dome of the basilica, an open observation deck is organized, which offers magnificent views of Budapest. The ascent takes place along a narrow spiral staircase, part of the way can be overcome on a special elevator.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
The Szechenyi Chain Bridge is one of the "TOP 3 most recognizable sights of Budapest" along with the Hungarian Parliament Building and St. Stephen's Basilica.
The bridge was built over the Danube River in the XIX century, connecting Buda and Pest. The name of the bridge came from the metal chains holding the canvas, and on behalf of the patron of the arts Count Istvan Szechenyi, who made donations for its construction.
The length of the bridge is 375 meters.
At nighttime, spotlights illuminate the structure, as a result of which the bridge looks especially expressive at night.
Where to go near Budapest for 1-2 days
In the vicinity of Budapest, there are many beautiful places that you can visit in 1-2 days as part of a tourist trip. It is possible to arrange self-guided sightseeing, for a comfortable trip it is recommended to rent a car (on the website Bookingautos you can rent a car).
Eger
The ancient Hungarian town of Eger, located in the north of the country, is located 120 km from Budapest (2 hours by car).
Eger is known for its magnificent baroque architecture. The city was founded in the 10th century by Saint Stephen. In the XIII century, it was completely destroyed during the Tatar invasion, but was quickly restored. Note: St. Stephen is the first king of the Kingdom of Hungary from the Arpad dynasty.
In the 20th century, Eger received the status of a balneological resort (the city is famous for its thermal springs and therapeutic mud).
Tourists are recommended to visit the main Dobo Square, Cathedral of St. John the Apostle, Aegean Castle and Minaret with an observation deck.
Esztergom
Esztergom is one of the oldest cities in Hungary, the religious center of the country. A small provincial town (population - 30 thousand people), located on the left bank of the Danube, close to the border with Slovenia. Distance from Budapest - 50 km (about an hour by car).
St. Stephen was born in Esztergom. The city was the capital of the country for 2 centuries. The main attraction of Esztergom is the Basilica of St. Adalbert - an architectural monument, which is one of the most important shrines in Europe.
Heviz
Heviz is a city in western Hungary famous for its lake. Today it is considered one of the most famous thermal health resorts.
The journey from Budapest to Heviz will take about 3 hours.
Food: the best restaurants in Budapest
Hungarian national cuisine is characterized by the predominance of various meat products (pork, beef, chicken, turkey), dairy products, cheeses and desserts.
Desserts are as important as meats, so they are often sold in establishments in the same or more quantities than main courses.
Popular Hungarian dishes are: dumplings, goulash, cabbage rolls, casseroles and sausages.
The hallmark of Hungarian chefs is the Dobos cake (chocolate layer cake).
Most parking in Budapest during the day is paid and has a feature - parking (especially on the streets near the center) is possible for no more than 4-5 hours. At night, parking is free.
Most street parking lots are controlled by special machines, which contain all the information you need to pay.
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
January
€186
February
€128
March
€132
April
€147
May
€184
June
€227
July
€239
August
€244
September
€158
October
€129
November
€110
December
€156
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Budapest is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €23. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Budapest is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €23, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting VW T-Roc during Summer period can costs €187 per day.
We have the largest selection of cars in Budapest. What do we offer:
New cars 2024 of the year.
Cars of any class from budget to premium.
A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.
The rental price of a car in Budapest is determined by its class, season, and rental duration. The standard cost of renting budget cars: Ford Fiesta and Citroen C1 will be €41-€31 per day. If you rented in advance and through our website - pay for the day just around €14. The average daily price for renting a car of a higher class, Audi A4, VW Tiguan, Peugeot 308 Estate will be €41. In addition, on Bookingautos.com you can rent minivans, luxury and electric cars. The lower rental price of these cars starts from €73 per day and can reach up to several hundred dollars.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Mercedes EQC when ordering in Budapest will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.
Book a car in advance
Budapest is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Budapest. It can be Citroen C1 or Ford Fiesta. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Peugeot 308 Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €33 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Budapest may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel Policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Budapest, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Budapest, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Budapest, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Budapest
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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