BudapestZIN

A woman runs as men throw water at her as part of traditional Easter celebrations

For 2015, the Red Bull Air Race World Championship makes a welcome return to the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

650,000 spectators lined the banks of the Danube back in 2009, when the last Red Bull Air Race World Championship race took place. With a much-awaited reappearance on the calendar this year, once again the city will be alive with race fever on 4-5 July.

This is the part three of the continuation of Packing List for Budapest Travel.

 In a small backpack, which is preferably lightweight for carrying a cardigan or a sweater, include your camera, guidebook, picnic goodies such as chocolate bar or muesli bar and a bottle of water/drink.

One thing that you are suggested not to use is 'Fanny packs' (beware of pickpockets since you are not European looking and totally Asian, they (the pickpockets) know right away you are not locals. It is thus safer not to draw their attention to the use of 'fanny packs' which are small fabric pouch secured with a zipper and worn by use of a strap around the hips or waist. This same item has different names from belt pack, belly bag, Baffalo pouch, hip sack, bum bag, banano or moon bag. Whichever it is, you know it is not recommended.

Camera and its batteries (for cold winter, some digital camera might even freeze). So if you do not mind losing a few beautiful photographs, you might want to consider backing up your batteries as they tend to get weak in the cold climate.

Water bottle: Empty a water bottle at airport security, but reuse whereby you can fill up tap water in Hungary as it is perfectly safe to drink directly from the tap. Wristwatch with built-in alarm, this item makes you less reliant on the 'wake-up call' by budget hotels. Earplugs: those types that are expandable foam plugs to reduce unnecessary noise on flight or even some hostel accommodations are just separating you with another traveler with a thin non-sound proofed wall.

Continue the last part of the Travel Packing List

See Packing List One and Packing List Two

This is the last part of the Packing List for Budapest Travel.













Optional items:
· Neck rest or inflatable pillow
· Cotton sheets for overnight train rides, can double as beach or picnic blanket
· Tiny lock (for your backpack incase you want to leave it at reception and also unforeseen early hours check-out timing, to save a day's hotel charges)
· Light weight LED flashlights that's tiny but powerful.
· Reading material/Paperback
· Insect repellent (Summer)
· Collaspsible umbrella (Summer)
· Poncho (versatile and doubles as picnic blanket)
· Small souvenirs from hometown such as crafts/candies/small toys for kids if you are meeting any local hosts.


Part III of the Travel Packing List is available here


If you have any additional comments or advices on what to bring, do feel free to email us and we will add it in :)

From Budapest to Bran is about 9 hours by car. Bran is the infamous 'Vampire City' where you can find out more about the Castle and Draculas. You can easily drive there by the M3 motorway. As it was in vicinity to Brasov, we decided to visit the castle of Bran.


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Albeit the horror story as a background, overlooking the top of the castle, you can get a wonderful panorama that looks like this:


If you looked closely, there are several beautiful villas in vicinity:


The Bran Castle is rather narrow inside with dark walkways and lots of wooden stairs. Towards the third level, there is a very narrow stairway that you must passed. I was actually wondering if someone with a big built will be able to get through it. That part of the stairway appears very dark. Furthermore, my imaginations went a bit wild recalling those days in the 13th century, and supposing they were using candlelight. Imagine those flickering shadows....hoo! spooky :)


This castle was dated 1378 when it was first constructed, this was the time where rock and wood were mostly available from Magura Branului. Its addressed is now 498 Traian Mosoiu St, Bran which lies between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains.


Other than the wooden rooms (where there were about six to eight rooms), a dungeon, a round tower and a gate's tower, there is also a cellar that acts as its prison. A few traces of the initial defense position still exist if you visit it today. It did not seemed too old as it was open as a museum since 1947.


Inspite of the fact that it was more famously known for the legend of Vlad Dracula, historically this castle used to be where Queen Maria of Great Romania lived with her royal family. They were living there from 1920 to 1947. In the 14th century it was rather a fortress that played an important role in protecting the Hungarian King from the Ottoman and Tartars' invasion. That time, the Turks were coming from Wallachia through Rucar-Bran Pass.

Arriving to Budapest by bus



International services of Eurolines and the Transdanubian services of Volánbusz arrive at the new Népliget station:



Click on the logo of the transportation companies and you will find all information you need. To compare to the train company or to the city transport company I think that VOLÁNBUSZ has a quite good website for English speaking users.


Eurolines is a group of Companies their services you can reach directly here or from the VOLÁNBUSZ site above.

Domestic buses use two other stations, too. Buses from East Hungary arrive at the Népstadion bus station, those from the Danube Bend at the Árpád Bridge bus station. Each bus station is connected with a metro station.

Walking along the river Danube in Budapest especially during the evening you will see a lot of ships and boats being on sightseeing. The Budapest lights are beautiful during the evening having all the bridges and the surrounding buildings lighted.





MAHART INFORMATION: (36-1) 484-4013

Vigadó square Landing Stage (Yellow building)
Tel.: (36-1) 318-1223
e-mail: ertekesites@mahartpassnave.hu
web: www.mahartpassnave.hu

The ports of Budapest are located at:

International : V. Belgrád rakpart (between the Erzsébet Bridge and the Szabadság Bridge)
Inland : V. Vígadó tér (between the Chain Bridge and the Erzsébet Bridge)





Some offers from the MAHART:

Budapest is a beautiful place - very photogenic, historical, old world charm, romantic atmosphere....!
This video captures the essence of its Cityscape wonderfully. Watch it. This is our recommendations.