Day-trip tips for Budapest

[satanziege]

Hi all,

Not been active here for quite some time, but I remember, there are a number of Hungarians here :-)
I am looking for travel advice:

I'll probably go to Budapest for a few days with the family and we are discussing options: I going to Balaton an option, if you hotel is in the city? If so during summer: car - train or other options?

We'll likely have not enough time but too many options: What are your must-sees in the surrounding? We do like culture and history, but also want to get an impression of the landscape and the surroundings.

Party-tips not relevant - kids are not in that age bracket, yet :-D

Thanks!

[Usrin]

Hi all,

Not been active here for quite some time, but I remember, there are a number of Hungarians here :-)
I am looking for travel advice:

I'll probably go to Budapest for a few days with the family and we are discussing options: I going to Balaton an option, if you hotel is in the city? If so during summer: car - train or other options?

We'll likely have not enough time but too many options: What are your must-sees in the surrounding? We do like culture and history, but also want to get an impression of the landscape and the surroundings.

Party-tips not relevant - kids are not in that age bracket, yet :-D

Thanks!

The eastern part of Balaton is certainly doable as a day-trip from Budapest, either by car or by train, although delays and cancellations happen almost every day. (The services of DB are still highly punctual and luxurious compared to the Hungarian State Railways...)

Personally I think that Balaton is overhyped and overcrowded, particularly in the parts closer to the capital. But I am really not a beach person, so this opinion may not be relevant for you. Anyway: if I had the choice, I would rather stay for a few days around the W corner of the lake (Keszthely, Tapolca, Badacsony), which has the nicest landscapes with hiking trails, vineyards and relatively less touristic historical towns. In my eyes, the most unique attractions of the region are the Hévíz natural thermal water lake (which is more interesting in the cold season) and the Tapolca Lake Cave. But these are rather outside the comfortable day-trip range (check Google Maps for travel times).

If you just want an excursion outside Budapest and do not insist on seeing Balaton, I rather recommend the Danube Bend (Szentendre, Visegrád, Esztergom), where we went during WSM 2006. That area also has spectacular landscape with a lot of history (e.g. Visegrád royal castle) and hiking opportunities; it is not a wine region, but you can try different cuisine and better beer in Štúrovo on the Slovakian side.