Customer Reviews

Rick Steves' Budapest

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've used Slick Rick's books for three trips: Spain, Prague, and Budapest and found this edition to be the most insightful. (Probably because he has a co author on this one).

The book does a good job making sure you know enough about the layout of the city, where the more important monuments, attractions, and must-sees items are at. I'd say slightly above average against many of the travel books you can buy. The add value with Rick's book is that he goes into details with some places (even more so then the literature provide by the actual sight). For example, the "House of Terror" description were so insightful and over and beyond what the on site literature had to offer.

The subway system can be difficult to read in Budapest especially since the end lines are not shown on a lot of the map around the city. Rick's basic diagrams were easy to read and got up around without having to use too much brain power.

The MOST HELPFUL tips Rick has to offer are with places to eat at. A great vacation either be amplified or damped by the food you eat. Also, the process of finding a good restaurant can add even more stress for the ordinary travelers. All of the places we visited in Budapest per he recommendation were unique with good food and prices in tow.

I'm a fan of his book even thought he can get a little too historical, political, and philosophical at times. Aside from that aspect, his suggestions never disappointed.

Very pleased with the Budapest guide. Some hours and/or prices are a bit off but it is a 2009 pub date and things in Budapest are in a constant state of flux. Directions are accurate. Self guided walks are very good. We did not use it for hotel info (we had rented an apartment in a residential neighborhood) or restaurants (other than Gerbeaud) info so can't comment on those parts but the remarks about where/what to look for re dining options were right on (i.e. Stay away from Vaci Utca if you want reasonable and authentic or descriptions of special local food to try). Now that we are back, I continue to use the guide to do my Facebook picture posting and trip reports.

The book is lighter to carry than some of the four-color books as well as easier to use because of its organization. The shaded named tabs on the book's edge made sections easy to find quickly. The b/w photos were fine for identifying sights. The Rick Steves style maps were easy to follow. I appreciated the background side bars to help understand some of the historic and political points.

I also had an Eyewitness guide. Left it in the apartment as a reference book for others. Found it awkward, heavy and harder to read for quick access --- but it does have lovely illustrations.

This was the first Rick Steves guide I bought although I've been watching his show for years. I actually downloaded it at the last minute in the airport before getting on the plane, and I'm so glad I did. There is no way I would have enjoyed Budapest as much without this guide.

The great restaurant and sightseeing recommendations were accurate and up to date. And I love that Rick has a specific point of view in the recommendations. The Lonely Planet Vienna guide I used on the same trip was basically like a directory, with little useful information to help you make a decision. I wish I would have had Rick's guide for that city, too.

I really appreciated the historical and political information. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I appreciate knowing the politics of the places I'm visiting.

I will definitely be buying Rick Steeves' guides every time I travel in Europe from now on.

I am a Hungarian national (born and raised in Budapest, lived in Boston since 1997) so I know the place Rick writes about - it is spot on and I found a lot of detail in this book I have not yet been aware of. What makes this and other of his guidebooks stand out of the crowded market of guides are the following: 1. personal, humorous, well researched and opinionated yet politically correct style, 2. accurate practical information and 3. cutting out the useless pages of filler information on also ran sights and museums. Keep up the great work!

I travel a good bit and have used Rick Steves' books for other destinations but this book was by far the best one I have used. The advice was outstanding and spot on (though I didn't go to the public bath which the author loves). I made the cost of the book back on the taxi back to the airport alone. Knowing what the official company prices were (capped at 3990 FT at FOTaxi) I was able to avoid my Hotel's cab (and had them call me the other company that night to pick me up for my AM flight). I did a couple of the walking tours which were outstanding. Description of where the ATMs near my incoming train station was, the hidden Metro platform near the park, etc. etc. were all indispensable. Hope to go to Budapest again and will definitely carry Rick Steves' with me.

I am currently studying abroad in Budapest and Rick Steve's guide has been really great for finding restaurants and/or places to go. The information is very detailed (which is so important because I don't speak Hungarian) like he tells you exactly how to go about getting a ticket for something and then what to do after you get the ticket (this example in the case of the thermal baths). I love this book and my friends borrow it all the time. I don't think the restaurant list is all that expansive, so you can supplement it with blogs like chew.hu or other things. I highly recommend this book as a starting place for people visiting Hungary. My roommate has the Lonely Planet one which doesn't have pictures and isn't very helpful... she borrows my Rick Steve's all the time. The only thing lacking from this book is a better list of more inexpensive places. Food is very cheap here and it'd be nice to see more local places with local prices. The prices of the restaurants in the book aren't bad by American standards (like 2000 HUF - 4000 HUF, $10-$20), but honestly you can get food for like $5. The best langos place I have found is right by Keleti station off of Garay and Bethlen Gabor St. for example... Best of luck to people travelling. Budapest is my favorite European city to live in!

This is an excellent guidebook to Budapest. It is well and accurately researched and is better than most other guidebooks in giving specific helpful information on local transportation, telephone usage, and availablility of restrooms.

Always count on Rick when we travel. He sends us to out of the way, quaint places that we would have never found otherwise and gives a nice blend of history, culture and current hot spots.
Book was shipped quickly and in great condition.

My husband and I like to explore on our own, rather than travel with tour groups. We found Rick Steves' Budapest to be very helpful while visiting that beautiful city. We used trams and buses so his listing of routes helped a lot. We were told those over 65 don't have to pay to use them. That tidbit would have been useful to know ahead of time.

This book complamented the Eyewitness guide. There was some additional information that we found helpful. Maps were a little too general.