When I moved to Budapest to teach English, I knew…almost nothing about the city. Between the lively party scene, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and up-and-coming design energy, Budapest has so much to offer! But the Hungarian language doesn’t make it easy for you to navigate this city. Luckily, there’s quite a few apps and websites to help you decode the Hungarian puzzle. Here are a few of my go-to apps to make Budapest life easier!
1. Wolt (Food Delivery)
A common theme amongst my American friends is lamenting the lack of UberEats. But of course this city has a way of delivering food straight to your door. Wolt has loads of options for different cuisines around the city. Rival food delivery app, Foodora, also gets the job done.
Use my Wolt promo code for 1000 HUF in credit!: VVTKU6M
2. Bolt (Rideshare)
Speaking of Uber…it’s not a thing in Budapest. Apparently the taxi drivers staged a mini revolt and got legislation passed that basically makes it impossible for Uber to exist. Which throws you back at the mercy of regular taxis. This was a problem for me (mainly because I had verrrrry few Hungarian language skills to be able to tell a taxi driver where I need to go). But Bolt saved the day! It functions very similarly to Uber, where you can pin your pick up location and destination and follow them on a map. It gives you an estimated range of what the journey will cost, as well.
3. Qponverzum (Food/Entertainment Coupons)
If you were raised by coupon cutters (hi, Mom!), then Qponverzum will probably be your new online playground. Qponverzum is the largest Hungarian coupon database that I know of–it’s basically Groupon. You can save money on a whole range of experiences, from something as expensive as international travel, or something as simple as a 2-for-1 burger deal (or a massage, or a romantic wine tasting for two.)
The only catch is that it’s exclusively in Hungarian. So arm yourself with Google translate and find yourself a deal!
If you’d like to find more travel deals, check out the Utamajozom website (also in Hungarian), which posts a lot of last minute deals for vacation packages including flights and accommodation.
4. BKK (Public Transportation)
BKK is your resource for all of the public transportation info. Normally I’m fine with Google Maps, but BKK gives you a live feed map, which is especially helpful whenever there’s a pesky delay. Also connected to transport is the Mobiljegy app, where you can buy all of your transportation tickets if you prefer to go digital. From daily trips to timing trips to the airport (although you can opt for a door-to-door shuttle if you’re in a hurry), it’s very useful!
5. Seat61 (International Travel)
This is one of the first websites I open when I plan any short term travel. Budapest is a fantastic home base for exploring Europe. Prague, Vienna, Belgrade, and Bratislava are all within about a 5 hour radius, and Seat 61 has loads of information on the train systems that will get you to your destination. It gives you detailed information on the best ways to get between specific cities–just select them from the drop down menu. It’s helped me save money in the past (like by telling me to book Budapest-Vienna travel through the Hungarian site instead of the Austrian one), so I always check back with Seat61 to see that I’m booking the smartest way I can.
6. WeLoveBudapest (City Events Guide)
All I can say now is that I wish that I had started utilizing this one sooner! We Love Budapest is similar to TimeOut–it gives you a rundown on restaurants, concerts, events, and more happening around the city. Aside from events, it also publishes useful roundups, like weekly lunch specials and guides to new businesses that pop up (like this American pie shop). What I like is that it’s useful for you whether you’re visiting Budapest for a weekend or living in Budapest long term. We Love Budapest has its finger on the pulse of the city and is a detailed guide!
7. Munch
Started by a group of university friends who wanted to fight food waste, Munch has become hugely popular in Hungary and beyond (I actually heard the founders speak at the startup networking event First Mondays, and it was very inspiring.). According to their site, “Munch is a platform where restaurants and retailers offer unsold but high-quality food at a discount.” It’s a win-win–restaurants fight food waste and you get to eat delicious food at a discount.
8. MOL Bubi Public Bike
Whether you need to speed across town to meet your friends for coffee, or you just want to take a leisurely ride along the Danube River, MOL Bubi bikes are a cheap and convenient way to get around the city. You’ve probably seen the bright green bikes all around, and with over 200 stations, you’re never too far away. Just scan your chosen bike’s barcode, unlock the wheel, and be on your way! The prices are quite reasonable, at 1000 HUF/month, or just 8500 HUF/year (if you’re an occasional user, it’s only 40 HUF/minute, but I think it’s worth it to just get an annual pass). Lime Scooters are also popular.
It’s great when technology can help you work smarter, not harder! Let my 2 1/2 years of expat Budapest knowledge save you a headache or two by using this guide! Whether you find yourself in Budapest for a weekend or long term, these apps and websites can help make your life in Budapest easier.
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